Peter Schrager Gives Honest Thoughts On Roquan Smith Trade

The Baltimore Ravens spent Monday showing they are thinking about a Super Bowl run this season.

While the NFL trade deadline is at 4 PM today, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta wasn’t waiting to make moves.

His move on Monday was a steal for his team, as they got linebacker Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears.

This move got the attention of Peter Schrager on Good Morning Football.

During the show’s segment, he gave his honest take on this trade deal.

So what side is he on regarding the Ravens’ trade for Smith?

Schrager Believes The Ravens “Got A Lot Better” With Smith Trade

There’s no question about it, the Ravens are a much better defense now with Smith on their roster.

The @Ravens got a lot better yesterday.

They’re thinking about a game in February; not a negotiating table in March. I respect it. https://t.co/oUZw2gIzGd

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) November 1, 2022

Schrager sees this deal as a “rental,” of Smith for this season.

He knows the Ravens are in trouble with both Smith and Lamar Jackson playing on the last years of their contracts.

However, he notes the team isn’t afraid of this, as they clearly want to play in the Super Bowl.

But after this season is over, the Ravens have a hard choice ahead of them.

Do they keep Jackson or Smith?

With the team’s 2023 salary cap situation, and Jackson wanting a fully guaranteed contract, they can’t keep both.

According to Spotrac, the Ravens should have just south of $40 million in cap space for 2023.

With two high-profile players, that’s not much money if these players don’t let the Ravens backload their contract.

As Schrager sees it, it appears this trade is only for the short-term for the Ravens.