The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models6.MyFreeCamsBest free option7.Cherry.tvBest newcomer8.ImLiveGreat for watching couples9.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes10.Cams.comTeledildonic features11.XcamsMost diverse cam models12.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time13.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows14.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases15.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate16.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you wantIntuitive search functionAdvanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls Hottest categories Great private shows Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

AffordableBest cam site availableGreat one-on-one performancesYou get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girlsGreat variety of fetish modelsEasy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be priceyFewer models compared to freemium sites

5. LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable modelsMobile optionRange of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

6.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely freeFantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

7.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordableFun, game-like interfaceStreamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)Just started so not a ton of active models yet

8.  ImLive: Old-school cam site featuring couples

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couplesDifferent payment optionsFree archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

9.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personalityCaters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

10.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!Advanced search functionDiverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

11.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girlsVery kinkyGreat previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structureSmall amount of free credits when you sign up

12.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose fromAmateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying adsOutdated web design

13.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the worldExclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or searchNot for everyone

14.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteasesVR featuresProfessional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

15.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about priceGreat site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

16.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam siteCan actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigateSome performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

Read More

The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022 Read More »

Lit & Luz, Space Gators, Duma, and more

I think today is some sort of special occasion? Oh yeah! It’s the first day of Lit & Luz, a festival focused on art, literature, and language shared between the U.S. and Mexico. At noon, things kicked off with a virtual keynote from poet, editor, and translator Anthony Cody. From 6-7 PM, artist Balam Bartolomé will give an artist talk at the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th). He’ll be joined by visiting curator, Esteban King, to discuss themes in his creative practice, which harnesses a variety of media (sculpture, writing, photography, and more) to explore how contemporary cultural narratives are constructed and their relationships to the past. And from 6-8 PM, guest writers will share personal work as well as favorite Halloween poems at the Insect Asylum (2870 N. Milwaukee). This year’s guests include Kathleen Rooney, Robin Myers, yolanda segura, Kailah Peters, Olivia Maciel, and more. Lit & Luz runs through November 5. For a complete list of programming, check out their website. (MC)

Here are some music options for tonight with links to past coverage by our music writers: if you’re looking to finish Halloween weekend with some aural costuming, head to one of the venues where bands are keeping up the time-honored Halloween tradition of pretending to be other bands! At Sleeping Village, the Tomblands will cover Black Sabbath’s music; Space Gators are also on the bill with their swampy rock. (9 PM, 3734 W. Belmont, $5, 21+, tickets here). And at Golden Dagger, John Perrin and his band will become the Ramones, Jack Fluegel and band are playing Blondie for the evening, and the band Uncle Pigeon will morph into Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. (8 PM, 2447 N. Halsted, $10, 21+, tickets at Ticketweb).

Other non-Halloween (but I’m sure they’ll let you in if you’re wearing a costume, just go as a paying customer) shows tonight: singer-songwriter Kevin Morby plays the Vic with opener Coco (8 PM, 3145 N. Sheffield, $30-$55, 18+, tickets at Jam’s website). At Empty Bottle, Martin Kanja and Sam Karugu of Nairobi bring their metal duo Duma to the stage; Masma Dream World and Hopeless Voyage open. (8:30 PM, 1035 N. Western, $20, 21+, tickets at Eventbrite). (SCJ)

Read More

Lit & Luz, Space Gators, Duma, and more Read More »

The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022Corvelay Mediaon October 31, 2022 at 9:00 am

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models6.MyFreeCamsBest free option7.Cherry.tvBest newcomer8.ImLiveGreat for watching couples9.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes10.Cams.comTeledildonic features11.XcamsMost diverse cam models12.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time13.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows14.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases15.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate16.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you wantIntuitive search functionAdvanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls Hottest categories Great private shows Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

AffordableBest cam site availableGreat one-on-one performancesYou get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girlsGreat variety of fetish modelsEasy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be priceyFewer models compared to freemium sites

5. LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable modelsMobile optionRange of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

6.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely freeFantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

7.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordableFun, game-like interfaceStreamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)Just started so not a ton of active models yet

8.  ImLive: Old-school cam site featuring couples

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couplesDifferent payment optionsFree archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

9.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personalityCaters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

10.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!Advanced search functionDiverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

11.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girlsVery kinkyGreat previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structureSmall amount of free credits when you sign up

12.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose fromAmateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying adsOutdated web design

13.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the worldExclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or searchNot for everyone

14.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteasesVR featuresProfessional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

15.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about priceGreat site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

16.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam siteCan actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigateSome performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

Read More

The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022Corvelay Mediaon October 31, 2022 at 9:00 am Read More »

Lit & Luz, Space Gators, Duma, and moreMicco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julinon October 31, 2022 at 10:13 pm

I think today is some sort of special occasion? Oh yeah! It’s the first day of Lit & Luz, a festival focused on art, literature, and language shared between the U.S. and Mexico. At noon, things kicked off with a virtual keynote from poet, editor, and translator Anthony Cody. From 6-7 PM, artist Balam Bartolomé will give an artist talk at the Logan Center for the Arts (915 E. 60th). He’ll be joined by visiting curator, Esteban King, to discuss themes in his creative practice, which harnesses a variety of media (sculpture, writing, photography, and more) to explore how contemporary cultural narratives are constructed and their relationships to the past. And from 6-8 PM, guest writers will share personal work as well as favorite Halloween poems at the Insect Asylum (2870 N. Milwaukee). This year’s guests include Kathleen Rooney, Robin Myers, yolanda segura, Kailah Peters, Olivia Maciel, and more. Lit & Luz runs through November 5. For a complete list of programming, check out their website. (MC)

Here are some music options for tonight with links to past coverage by our music writers: if you’re looking to finish Halloween weekend with some aural costuming, head to one of the venues where bands are keeping up the time-honored Halloween tradition of pretending to be other bands! At Sleeping Village, the Tomblands will cover Black Sabbath’s music; Space Gators are also on the bill with their swampy rock. (9 PM, 3734 W. Belmont, $5, 21+, tickets here). And at Golden Dagger, John Perrin and his band will become the Ramones, Jack Fluegel and band are playing Blondie for the evening, and the band Uncle Pigeon will morph into Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. (8 PM, 2447 N. Halsted, $10, 21+, tickets at Ticketweb).

Other non-Halloween (but I’m sure they’ll let you in if you’re wearing a costume, just go as a paying customer) shows tonight: singer-songwriter Kevin Morby plays the Vic with opener Coco (8 PM, 3145 N. Sheffield, $30-$55, 18+, tickets at Jam’s website). At Empty Bottle, Martin Kanja and Sam Karugu of Nairobi bring their metal duo Duma to the stage; Masma Dream World and Hopeless Voyage open. (8:30 PM, 1035 N. Western, $20, 21+, tickets at Eventbrite). (SCJ)

Read More

Lit & Luz, Space Gators, Duma, and moreMicco Caporale and Salem Collo-Julinon October 31, 2022 at 10:13 pm Read More »

Bears never fell in love with Roquan Smith

Trading Roquan Smith was unthinkable before Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus were hired, but a distinct possibility almost from the moment they entered the door at Halas Hall.

At the time, Smith was the best thing the Bears had going for them as the Ryan Pace/Matt Nagy era ended in January –a two-time All-Pro linebacker, yet still considered overshadowed and underrated, and still only 24.

He was the kind of proven star a general manager and coach inheriting a bad roster but eager to accentuate the positive could have hung his hat on in the opening press conference for Poles and Eberflus in January.

But given the opportunity to gush about the most accomplished player on their roster, both Poles and Eberflus passed. Poles didn’t even mention a single player. Eberflus lumped Smith in with the rest.

“There’s a lot of guys that excite me. Roquan is one of them,” Eberflus said when asked the roster he was inheriting in general and Smith in particular.

It was the first sign the Bears’ new management was not as enamored with Smith the same way those who had watched him play in four seasons with the Bears were. They liked him, but didn’t love him, which put them at odds with Smith from the start.

That difference of opinion continued during a contentious offseason negotiation for a long-term contract that was complicated by Smith representing himself without an agent. And then through a training camp “hold-in” that turned acrimonious when Smith demanded a trade and accused Poles of negotiating in bad faith — the low-point of a “distasteful” process that left Smith feeling bitter, unloved and under-appreciated.

And even into the season, where Smith ended up playing middle linebacker when he was presumed to be playing the weak side linebacker position in Eberflus defense that made Shaquille Leonard a $19.8 million a year star.

The dam broke Monday when Poles traded Smith to the Ravens for a 2023 second-round draft pick (currently No. 57 overall), a 2023 fifth-round draft pick (currently No. 162) and 31-year-old veteran linebacker A.J. Klein, a former starter with the Bills whom the Ravens signed off the Giants practice squad in Week 5.

The Bears also agreed to pay $4.833 million of the $5.4 million left on Smith’s 2022 salary. They really didn’t want to pay this guy $20 million a year.

And that’s why Roquan Smith is no longer a Bear. He drove a hard bargain — all the way to Baltimore. The headstrong 2018 first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) — the NFL leader in tackles this season — vowed to bet on himself and become the highest-paid inside linebacker in football. And the Bears didn’t think he deserved it. Until further notice, it’s as simple as that.

It might turn out to be the prudent move, but for now it’s a bad look. Chicago cherishes defense and worshipslinebackers and Smith was the latest in a lineage of All-Pro players at that position — from George Connor to Bill George to Dick Butkus to Mike Singletary to Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Truth be told, he is closer to Briggs than Urlacher at this stage of his career — more of a highly potent tackle machine than a destructive game-changing Hall of Fame. His 2022 season was typical of the conundrum the Bears faced. Smith leads the NFL with 83 tackles and has 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.

You could point to those numbers and say he’s winning his bet. Or you could point to the quiet five-tackle game against the Cowboys on Sunday, when he was unable to rise above the muck of a poor overall defensive performance and see why the Bears didn’t want to pay him $20 million a year.

That’s been the theme of the entire Roquan episode. Smith had every reason to think he should be the highest-paid inside linebacker in football –he’s accomplished and still young. And Poles has a case for not splurging on an off-the-ball linebacker who — even if he is the best inside linebacker in football — is not a dominant, destructive, $20 million-a-year force.

We’ll see what happens. And it’s not without risk for Poles. Smith figures to flourish in a Ravens defense that has a history of maximizing talented linebackers. And the Bears defense, which allowed 42 points to the Cowboys with Smith on Sunday, isn’t likely to be better without him. Who will replace Smith in the middle? Somebody who doesn’t want $20 million year. Other than that, it doesn’t really matter.

And that’s the point. Smith might be worth $20 million to somebody, but not to Ryan Poles, Matt Eberflus and the Bears. They’ll fill his hole with a workmanlike player and invest that $20 million in a position that can make a bigger difference — a defensive tackle, a defensive end or a wide receiver. That’s their plan and they’re sticking to it.

Smith embraced the legacy of the great linebackers who preceded him, but wanted to be a Bear for life at his price and not the Bears’. So now he gets his wish, “to play for an organization that truly values what I bring to the table.” But it remains to be seen if both sides will come out ahead.

Read More

Bears never fell in love with Roquan Smith Read More »

Blockbuster Bears Trade Nets Former 2-Time First-Team All-Big 12 LB

Monday’s Bears trade sends the team a former 5th-round pick

Roquan Smith is now a Baltimore Ravens linebacker. The former Chicago Bears All-Pro linebacker was rumored to be on the trading block before Tuesday’s deadline. The Bears trade will save the team money in the future and will give the team draft capital in the short term future. A second and fifth-round pick will be valuable to a team that needs help all over the roster.

One of the pieces the Bears received in the trade is linebacker A.J. Klein. Klein was a former Carolina Panthers’ 2013 fifth-round selection. He has spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens before the Bears trade Monday.

Klein played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones. He was a two-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree during his time at Iowa State. Klein has started 81 games in his NFL career. He’s recorded 454 total tackles, four interceptions, and eight fumble recoveries during his time in the league.

Klein has a 54.2 overall rating for the 2022 season by Pro Football Focus. That’s a higher rating than PFF has for Smith this season (50.8). Smith has seen a lot more snaps this season than Klein. Klein has 18 total defensive snaps in two games for the Ravens.

Here are some highlights of Klein:

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

Read More

Blockbuster Bears Trade Nets Former 2-Time First-Team All-Big 12 LB Read More »

Trading Roquan Smith is regrettable and counterproductive for Bears

The Bears needed a full teardown. That’s why the general manager position was open for Ryan Poles in the first place. There was little worth clinging to on a roster that bottomed out under Ryan Pace’s watch, and the delusion of believing they were close only made Poles’ rebuild more difficult.

So painful departures like Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn were inevitable and sensible.

But Roquan Smith? That’s regrettable and counterproductive.

By trading Smith to the Ravens for a second- and fifth-round pick plus linebacker A.J. Klein, Poles flipped the best, most surefire player on his roster for some maybes. It’s the first move he has made that works against his renovation project at Halas Hall.

Hey, maybe he’ll turn one of those draft picks into someone as good as, you know, Smith.

It’s a trade that illustrates how far the Bears are from doing anything meaningful on the field.

If anyone was disgusted by their defense in the 49-29 loss to the Cowboys, get ready for it to plunge to new nauseating levels. At this point, there’s no longer even a shred of doubt that they’ll benefit more from losses than wins, and that’ll be tough for viewers to stomach.

Meanwhile, the Ravens aspire to something significant. They have an MVP-winning quarterback in Lamar Jackson, they lead their division and they’re always shooting for the Super Bowl.

It hasn’t always worked out, but imagine following a team that’s always going for it. Imagine the team’s moves almost always making sense. Bears fans usually have to resort to imagining.

The Ravens had a strong core with Jackson and have fortified their roster with five first- or second-round picks over the last two drafts. Now, they’re adding.

Teams that have a quarterback race to put as much talent around him as possible. Teams that don’t — or in the Bears’ case aren’t sure — are sellers. They have to wait.

Perpetual waiting is the worst of the Bears’ traditions.

The state of the team is mostly on Pace. Poles was hired to clean up his mess, and that’s a multi-year undertaking. He has been steadfast in his plan to free up future salary-cap space and stockpile draft picks. It’s fine to clear out players he didn’t pick, but Smith wasn’t part of the problem — just the opposite.

He is a top-tier defensive weapon still ascending at 25, and there’s no question about how good and versatile he is after the last five seasons. He could have been the centerpiece of coach Matt Eberflus’ defense for years.

The Ravens wanting him essentially confirms that. They have a reputation for getting it right.

Meanwhile, Poles is asking for a lot of faith along the way, and as a first-time general manager, he hasn’t earned that yet. The only track record he has is the one he’s putting together now.

Smith is more established. Everyone knows what he can do, and his star will shine even brighter in Baltimore.

He certainly will rationalize the trade internally because he didn’t want to allocate a $100 million contract extension at what he considers a non-premium position.

When Smith didn’t get an extension amid what he felt were disrespectful negotiations by Poles, he ended his “hold in” by declaring he was determined to hit free agency. But Poles won that clash on two fronts: He got Smith back on field without budging and the team had the option of going year-to-year with him by using the franchise tag.

What was the point of playing hardball only to trade him midseason?

The Bears obviously weren’t going to contend this season, and Poles’ priority is identifying which players could be pillars in 2023 and beyond. He went into this season with few concrete answers, but Smith was one of them. Hewas a knowntalent, and erasing him from the blueprint leaves the Bears’ future more unclear than it already was.

Read More

Trading Roquan Smith is regrettable and counterproductive for Bears Read More »

Trading Roquan Smith is Bears GM Ryan Poles’ Mitch Trubisky moment

Nobody is safe.

That has to be the message permeating the Bears’ locker room after new general manager Ryan Poles traded linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens on Monday –one day before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline –for a 2023 second-round pick, 2023 fifth-round pick and veteran linebacker A.J. Klein.

Smith was in the final year of his contract, but the Bears could have kept him on the franchise tag the next two years for about $38 million total. He was 25 and entering his prime — the exact kind of player a team should want to build around.

Instead, Poles has made his most surprising — and polarizing — move as GM.

When Poles traded Khalil Mack, he was 31 and coming off a season in which he played seven games. When he moved Robert Quinn last week, he was trading a 32-year-old defensive end who had managed one sack all season.

This is different.

This is his Mitch Trubisky moment.

When predecessor Ryan Pace traded up to draft the North Carolina quarterback in 2017, he knew that he’d be forever linked to his decision. Poles will be too, particularly if Smith — who started the season as a “hold-in” and publicly accused Poles of negotiating in bad faith — continues his run as one of the league’s best inside linebackers while playing for one of the NFL’s most well-run franchises. The trade could destabilize a Bears team that already struggled emotionally with the loss of Quinn, a more obvious trade candidate, last week.

What players on the Bears are untouchable now? Justin Fields, probably. But the Smith trade might even color the way Poles looks at his quarterback at the end of the season. If the 17 weeks of this season are meant to show Poles whether Fields can — or can’t –be the Bears’ franchise quarterback, the GM just stated loudly that he’s not blindly wed to any of the players he inherited from Ryan Pace.

Not that there are many left–take away Smith, and only 10 of the Bears’ 22 starters in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys were on the roster when Poles was hired in January. Only two defensive starters remain from 2020: cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Eddie Jackson.

The Bears are expected to have $116 million in salary cap space next season, plus at least three extra draft picks acquired from the trades of the past week. If Poles allocates those resources to the kind of players a modern offense needs — multiple receivers and at least one tackle –Fields will be better for it. That is, if the Bears decide that he’s worth building around. Handing the quarterback a midseason bombshell gives him one other thing to try to overcome.

Monday’s deal was surely noted by the resurgent Jackson, who inherited Quinn’s defensive captaincy Sunday amid a resurgent season, and running back David Montgomery. If Poles can trade Smith, he can certainly trade them– and there should be a market for both.

As much as the Bears praise Montgomery, he’s increasingly been on the wrong side of a timeshare with second year running back Khalil Herbert. Herbert averaged 6.2 yards per carry Sunday, and Montgomery 3.5. Letting Montgomery leave via free agency in March would, in ordinary years, help yield a compensatory draft pick. The Bears, though, figure to spend so much on new players as to make that a moot point.

The Bears don’t have an intriguing backup for Jackson — but they didn’t have one for Smith, either. Undrafted free agent Jack Sanborn might get the first crack at the starting job.

When he dealt Robert Quinn to the Eagles on Wednesday, Poles said that he was confident that certain defenders would “continue to hold it down and be leaders.” He listed four players: defensive lineman Justin Jones, Johnson, Jackson and Smith.

One of them has been traded since. Another could be.

Read More

Trading Roquan Smith is Bears GM Ryan Poles’ Mitch Trubisky moment Read More »

The next step for Bears and Justin Fields: go deep

The Bears offense is incomplete.

“If you want to have success in the NFL, you’re always going to have to be a threat to stretch the defense vertically,” quarterback Justin Fields said. “So you have to take shots downfield, so [the defense is] not all up in your grill.”

It’s not enough to attempt them, though. The Bears actually have to start completing them.

Fields threw four passes beyond 20 yards in the air in Sunday’s 49-29 loss to the Cowboys — and all four were incomplete. He was 1-for-2 against the Patriots, 2-for-5 against the Commanders and 1-for-4 against the Vikings.

The Bears already can attack a defense sideline to sideline with their run game and the passes they throw based off of them. Now they need to stretch it end zone to end zone.

“You’ve got play-action pass, you’ve got movement passes that are out of pocket–you stretch the horizontal part of the field,” head coach Matt Eberflus said Monday. “But I think it’s important that you stretch the vertical part. Not only on the sides by the numbers, but the middle part.”

Fields is getting his chances. The Bears are successful on 68% of their pass block attempts according to ESPN’s team pass block win rate metric, ranking third in the NFL. Nonetheless, the Bears are tied for last in the NFL with 634 air yards, which measures how far a pass traveled before being caught. Only 54.8% of Fields throws have been on target, which is the worst number in the NFL.

Sunday, one deep ball incompletion was his fault. Another plainly was not.

On the Bears’ first offensive play, Fields took a shotgun snap, faked a handoff right to running back David Montgomery and looked deep right for Equanimeous St. Brown. The receiver had cornerback Anthony Brown beat by four yards, Eberflus estimated, but Fields left the throw short. It fell incomplete.

“We gotta let that air out,” Eberflus said. “[Fields] knows that. … Just a little under-thrown on that one.”

St. Brown slowed down to try for the catch, but probably could have flailed more and hoped for a defensive pass interference penalty.

“Certainly that’s some gamesmanship,” Eberflus said. “We let the guys use their instincts on that.”

St. Brown had a touchdown in his hands later in the game. When the Cowboys jumped offside with 20 seconds left in the first half, Fields knew he had a free play and launched a ball to the front right pylon. St. Brown leaped for the ball with both hands but Brown helped poke it away.

“That was a wonderful throw,” Eberflus said. “I’ve been saying it all along, he’s a wonderful deep ball thrower. He can put it on a dime, drop it in the bucket, whatever metaphor you want to use. He certainly had a couple of good ones there.”

The other came when, with 2:45 to play in the first half, receiver Velus Jones split wide and beat Brown down the right sideline. Fields launched the ball 54 yards in the air, and it landed in both of the rookie’s hands at the 4. Jones, who has muffed two punts this season, dropped it as he fell to the ground.

“He worked himself open all the way down the field, and that ball was on the money,” Eberflus said.

One of the benefits of the Bears’ successful run game is the mismatches they can get deep down the field. It hasn’t produced success. Of the nine passing quadrants beyond the line of scrimmage — to the left, right and middle from 0-10 yards, 11-20 and 20-plus — Fields has a passer rating above league average on only two.

Fixing that is the next step.

“It would be a big help rounding out the offense,” running back Khalil Herbert said.

Read More

The next step for Bears and Justin Fields: go deep Read More »