As in every NFL Top 100 list, there are always a few players who can say they were snubbed from the list. This year, there are several notable omissions from the league's annual best players ranking, including Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith.
The NFL has now released its full 2021 NFL Top 100 list, and to the surprise of many, Smith was not included in the final ranking.
As any other player would take it, Smith is simply using this exclusion as more motivation for the upcoming season, which he spoke further about to the “Bears All Access” Podcast.
“Everything is fuel,” Smith said. “There is nothing better than being counted out. At the end of the day, I will continue to show them.”
Smith is coming off of what was arguably his most complete season in the NFL. In his third season in the league, the former Georgia standout posted career highs in total tackles (139), tackles for loss (18), quarterback hits (six) and interceptions (two). His showings over the season were good enough to earn him a spot on the 2020 AP All-Pro Second-Team.
Still, Smith's strong 2020 campaign did not help him get a spot in this year's NFL Top 100 list for what would have been the first time in his career. At the least, Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (23rd) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (87th) made the list this year.
Smith sure will have a chip on his shoulder this season, especially as he soon could be in talks for a possible contract extension deal with the team. The Bears will surely be counting on him to repeat his grand success from last season.
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