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Chicago Bears 2015 Training Camp Profile: LB Pernell McPhee

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Pernell McPhee Chicago Bears

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When new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace entered his first free agency period as the Bears personnel chief, he made it his top priority to sign Pernell McPhee. McPhee had been a member of the Baltimore Ravens defense for the past four seasons. He steadily earned more playing time, and last season, despite being used largely in a backup role, he tallied 7.5 sacks. McPhee graded out as one of the top impact outside linebackers last season, ranking behind only the Kansas City ChiefsJustin Houston according to Pro Football Focus.

The Ravens had no interest in losing the versatile outside linebacker, but the team’s was salary-cap-strapped and had no choice but to let McPhee walk. Pace swooped in and inked McPhee to a five-year, $39 million contract with $16 million guaranteed.

McPhee is extremely versatile, and because of that, John Fox and Vic Fangio plan to use him all over the football field. McPhee will rush from his traditional outside linebacker, but you will also see Fangio have him rush out of a three-point stance on nickel packages and even play a little defensive tackle as well. McPhee knows how to get to the quarterback, as evidenced by his 64 pressures and 24 QB hits last season. His abilities are something that this Bears defense desperately needs.

The big question facing McPhee is whether or not he can handle becoming the focal point of the defense. McPhee has always been used in substitution packages in Baltimore behind accomplished linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. The argument can be made that McPhee’s production was due to offensive coordinators focusing on other members of Baltimore’s defense, allowing McPhee to flourish. On the other hand, an argument can be made that McPhee’s production was limited because of his reduced playing time and by playing more snaps in Chicago, he’s going to blossom.

With the type of commitment the Bears made to him, obviously Pace thinks it’s the latter. McPhee will get the lion’s share of playing time, and Bears fans will get an opportunity to see how good he can be. Fangio has already put McPhee’s name in pen in the starting lineup. If he isn’t starting Week 1 that means he’s either injured, or Pace missed wildly on his assessment.

There is no reason to think that’s the case with McPhee. He is worthy of being a starting edge rusher in this league, and he will prove it this season with the Bears. Truthfully, that isn’t enough. The Bears committed to McPhee as an elite defender. $8 million per season is a healthy contract for a pass rusher, considering a franchise tag would land a linebacker $13 million. McPhee needs to prove that he’s ready to take the next step in his career and become one of the top pass rushers in the league. The Bears are expecting McPhee to be well north of 10 sacks this year and establish himself as one of the most menacing defenders in the NFL. McPhee is someone to keep an eye on during training camp, as he is determined to cement himself as one of the new “Monsters of the Midway.”

Bill Zimmerman is a featured writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

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