Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
On the eve of the 2015 NFL Draft, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace announced that the organization would not pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Shea McClellin. The 2012 No. 19 overall pick could have earned $7.715 million in 2016, but he hasn’t come close to living up to expectations in the Windy City. Having only tallied 7.5 sacks in his three years in the league, McClellin is now possibly staring at his final season with the Bears.
McClellin, originally a defensive end in the 4-3 scheme, was moved to outside linebacker last season. In 2015, he will be placed in a more familiar 3-4 alignment as a pass rusher under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. However, McClellin will have to face a lot of competition in organized team activities and training camp.
With their defensive transition, the Bears have moved defensive ends Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young to outside linebacker. In addition, Chicago signed Pernell McPhee and Sam Acho this offseason to strengthen the depth of the linebacking corps. And let’s not forget that there is the possibility that the Bears can add another pass-rushing linebacker in the draft.
Having such a logjam at outside linebacker, not only are McClellin’s chances of seeing playing time in 2015 reduced, but there is a good chance that he may not even make the 53-man roster heading into the regular season. This could be the exact reason why Pace opted to pass on picking up McClellin’s fifth-year option.
The clock is definitely ticking on McClellin, and there should be no more excuses. McClellin is playing a position in a scheme that suits him best. If he doesn’t come up big this season, the four-year veteran could be looking for work elsewhere in 2016.
Clyde A. Speller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClydeASpeller.
