Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith mostly skirted talk about a potential contract extension before a voluntary minicamp practice Wednesday at Halas Hall.

But he did provide one concrete answer when asked if he would like to stay in Chicago long term.

“Absolutely, yeah,” Smith said. “That’s my plan.”

As Smith enters the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, his role on the Bears defense under new coach Matt Eberflus is as important as ever. But how and when he and the Bears might get to a new deal is uncertain.

Smith revealed in August he doesn’t have an agent, but he has provided little update since then about whether he plans to hire one or, if not, how he’s preparing to negotiate his next contract. The NFLPA doesn’t list an agent for him as it does for most players.

Smith said Wednesday his main focus “is out on the field and doing what I have to do and bonding better with my boys.”

“It’s personal at the end of the day,” Smith said when asked about an agent. “All that business is more so my business upstairs. I’m confident we’ll get everything taken care of.”

Smith, selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft by former general manager Ryan Pace, is one of the most significant players on the roster new GM Ryan Poles inherited.

At the NFL owners meetings last month, Poles acknowledged extension talks with Smith are on his to-do list before the season starts. But Poles also said he could wait a bit for the new coaching staff, including Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams, to become acquainted with Smith.

“If he’s the guy that I think he is, (a new contract) is something we have to address,” Poles said. “He’s a really good linebacker, and in this defense with Matt and Alan, there’s a good chance he’s going to have a really good year. So …”

Smith is one of a few returning defensive starters on hand this week at the three-day voluntary minicamp, which the NFL allows for teams with new coaches. Safety Eddie Jackson, who missed Tuesday’s session, also practiced Wednesday.

When asked why he felt it was important to attend a voluntary camp, Smith said: “I’ll always be this way. I’m me and I’ll stand for what I believe in. And my job and what I believe in is showing up and doing what I have to do. I don’t focus on others or anything like that. I just know what I signed up for.”

His presence is helping him get to know new linebacker Nicholas Morrow — whom Smith described as down to earth, smart and good at communicating — and his new coaches.

Eberflus said he already thought “the world” of Smith before joining the Bears because they spent a day together during the 2018 draft process while Eberflus was the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator. The Colts tested Smith on how he memorized defenses, and he impressed them with his retention rate.

Now Eberflus is seeing Smith’s quickness, athleticism and ability to catch the football up close during practices. And he’s setting big expectations.

“Playing inside linebacker for us is a huge role,” said Eberflus, who guided 2018 Colts draft pick Darius Leonard to three All-Pro seasons at linebacker. “(Brian) Urlacher and (Lance) Briggs were big components to the great defense that they’ve had here in the past, and that’s going to be no different. We’re looking for those same type of guys.

“We want a pair of guys in there that are really dominant and we’re going to work toward that. Roquan is in those plans, so we’re excited about where he is.”

Smith has been crucial to the Bears defense every season since he was drafted, totaling 524 tackles, 43 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks, 17 passes defended and five interceptions in 61 games.

But his leadership as Eberflus and his staff install a new defense and philosophy — especially after the departures of several veteran players — feels especially important this year.

Eberflus said he looks for positive, “get-it-done,” “yes-we-can” players as leaders.

“That means when they look at you, they say, ‘Yes we can,’” Eberflus said. “And that’s what he does. That’s the kind of guy he is and that’s the kind of attitude he exudes.”

Smith called it “a heck of an opportunity” to help usher in a new era.

“Obviously we’re resetting things and starting over fresh, new faces, new regime,” Smith said. “So it’s a great opportunity to be the face of the new regime, and doing whatever it takes to make this the best regime in Bears history, that’s my plan.”

Smith said he’s working on a lot of little things to improve upon a 2021 season in which he had 163 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, three sacks, three passes defended and an interception.

But it hasn’t been all work this offseason.

Smith typically approaches his interviews straight and serious, but he seemed excited Wednesday to talk about his recent international travels, which he posted about on Instagram.

His favorite stop was a hotel near Lucerne, Switzerland, called Bürgenstock Resort. He got a day pass to check it out but didn’t stay there because it was “pretty expensive.”

A reporter asked if Smith would be able to stay at the hotel after he signed a new contract, which got a laugh from the Bears linebacker.

“I think so,” he said. “I think so.”

When that return trip can be booked, however, is to be determined.

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