Maybe I’ve read too many “a league source says” stories but the perception out there seems to be that Smith is a very good, not great player at a non-premium position. It would be beneficial for him to prove that he is great going into FA or a franchise tag. not saying that will happen with a guy who is said to have maturity issues and is operating without the guidance of an agent but it makes all the sense in the world for him to ball out. It does, and I'm sure when he's in there, he'll play well. But this is a guy that hasn't always made the best decisions. He had the mysterious absence for a game a few years ago. He's now held out on 2 different occasions. I just worry about what happens Week 10 when this team is 3-6 and he has an annoyance with an ankle or something. It's probably not going to be something that can be proven, if he's smart about it (not a guarantee). I just don't see a good ending. I don't see him playing great and then the Bears changing their offer to something he'd agree too. I don't see him caving on taking the Bears offer. Most likely scenario is he walks or is tagged after the season, which starts this process all over again. And if he walks, it'll likely be for nothing as the Bears will certainly spend money bringing in guys to wipe his comp pick away. I usually find that "betting on myself" to be best played by an NFL player via that player hiring a competent agent