Baltimore acquired Roquan Smith from Chicago at the 2022…
Baltimore acquired Roquan Smith from Chicago at the 2022 deadline for A.J. Klein, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2023 fifth-rounder. Smith quickly became the centerpiece of the Ravens defense and earned top-level honors after the move. Chicago used the premium pick on Gervon Dexter and added Noah Sewell, so the Bears recovered meaningful young talent, but Baltimore obtained the proven star and won the deal.
Baltimore Ravens Received
- player Roquan Smith
Chicago Bears Received
- pick 2023 2nd round pick (53rd overall, Gervon Dexter )
- pick 2023 5th round pick (148th overall, Noah Sewell) and A.J. Klein
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
At the 2022 trade deadline, Baltimore sent Chicago linebacker A.J. Klein plus 2023 second- and fifth-round picks for Roquan Smith. The second-round selection became defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, while the fifth became linebacker Noah Sewell. Chicago was resetting its roster and facing a major contract decision. Baltimore was trying to turn a good defense into a championship-caliber unit with a proven three-down linebacker in the middle.
Why Baltimore Came Out Ahead
Smith was an immediate fit and then became a long-term pillar. Baltimore did not merely rent him for a playoff push; it secured a premier linebacker, extended him, and received All-Pro-level play at the heart of its defense. His range, tackling, coverage and leadership materially changed the Ravens' front seven. When a team gives up a second-rounder for an established star, this is the outcome it wants: elite performance without a short expiration date.
How Chicago Fared
The Bears deserve more credit than a harsh first-glance grade suggests. Dexter developed into a starting interior defender with pass-rush upside, and Sewell added another young defensive piece. Chicago also avoided committing to Smith during an early-stage rebuild. That return gives the Bears tangible roster value rather than merely theoretical draft capital. Still, the combined package has not matched the singular impact Baltimore received from Smith.
Final Verdict
Baltimore earns an A+ and Chicago a B-. The Bears converted a departing star into useful young defenders, so this was not a giveaway. The Ravens nevertheless landed the best player in the transaction, kept him for the long term, and watched him perform at an elite level. That combination makes Baltimore the clear winner.