Roquan Smith ends holdout, agrees to rookie contract with Bears, per reports

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption NFL: Overreactions following first week of preseason SportPulse: It's the most wonderful time of year! No, not Christmas. That window of time just after Week 1 of the NFL preseason where we get to overreact about everything.

The Chicago Bears are finally set to have their top rookie in action for the preseason.

Linebacker Roquan Smith agreed to terms on a deal with the team Monday, according to ESPN and NFL Network, ending an extended holdout that left him as the last first-round pick to sign. The four-year deal is worth $18 million, ESPN reported.

The Bears announced that Smith is expected to address the media on Tuesday.

Bears coach Matt Nagy confirmed in July that Smith and the teams were at odds in part over the NFL's new helmet rule, which subjects players to ejections and suspensions for using the head while tackling. According to multiple reports, the two sides were in disagreement over whether the contract would allow for his guaranteed money to be voided should he be disciplined for an infraction of the new rule.

Smith was the No. 8 overall pick in April's NFL draft. The Butkus Award winner out of Georgia was expected to play a crucial role in the middle of the defense as a rookie, but he has missed all of training camp as well as the team's first two preseason games.

The Bears will practice with the Denver Broncos this week in the lead-up to a preseason game on Saturday.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.