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The Chicago Bears defense has done everything it’s needed in order to secure wins this season. Unfortunately, the offense hasn’t held up its en oof the bargain, and they’re the reason why Chicago is on a putrid four-game losing streak in this bye week.
There have been several players that have stepped up on defense, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who has rebounded following a disappointing 2019 outing. But while Mack’s heroics remain an integral part to the success of this defense, there’s one player that’s in the midst of a breakout season in his third year.
Inside linebacker Roquan Smith has finally made the leap that everyone was expecting him to make. This season, Smith has been playing at not only a Pro-Bowl level but an All-Pro level, as he leads the NFL in a variety of categories and ranks in the top five of many others.
Smith leads the league with 97 tackles and 13 tackles-for-loss. He also has a league-best 28 run stops and has the fewest yards allowed per target with 3.6.
“He’s truly, in my opinion, he’s playing some of his best ball, man, right now,” Bears safety Tashaun Gipson said, via The Athletic. “I don’t think there’s a linebacker that’s playing better than him right now and truly will stand on that.”
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