Shea McClellin Facing Make-Or-Break 2015 Season With Chicago Bears
By Clyde A. Speller
@ClydeASpeller
Getty Images
Chicago Bears head coach John Fox revealed yesterday at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine that his defense will be switching to a 3-4 scheme for the 2015 season. This change doesn’t come as a surprise to most, considering the fact that as head coach of the Denver Broncos, Fox ran the 3-4 scheme. In addition, new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did the same while spearheading the defense with the San Francisco 49ers for four years.
This switch will definitely modify the responsibilities of some of the Bears’ defensive personnel. But for one player in particular, this will serve as a final shot to prove this worth. Shea McClellin was drafted by the Bears with the No. 19 overall pick in 2012 as a defensive end. After underachieving along the defensive line his first two seasons, McClellin was moved to outside linebacker.
During those first three years, the Boise State product never lived up to expectations. Now that Chicago will be operating out of a 3-4, McClellin will have to take advantage of this opportunity in order to keep his NFL career alive.
As of right now, Fox is still unsure of where he’ll place McClellin in the defense. While speaking at the Combine, Fox stated that he “almost can’t even say right now if he’s going to be an inside or an outside backer until we get on the grass and watch him perform.”
Coming out of college, many teams felt that McClellin was better suited as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. Now, McClellin, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, must prove to the Bears that he was worth the first-round investment. With potential free agents and selections from this year’s draft vying for starting spots in the Bears’ linebacking corps, much pressure will be on the shoulders of McClellin during organized team activities and training camp. If 2015 brings yet another subpar season from the 25-year-old, all arrows will be pointed towards the exit for McClellin.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller.
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