Former Indian inks five-year deal with Chicago Bears
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoprt, the Bears and McPhee agreed to terms on a five-year contract reportedly worth nearly $40 million with $16 million in guaranteed money on Tuesday.
Former Indian inks five-year deal with Chicago Bears
Adam Gore/LetsGoICC.com
In a division featuring the likes of two-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford the need to pressure the quarterback is a hot commodity in the NFC North Division.
After spending $35 million to only see the team finish as the third-worst defensive unit in the league for the second-straight season, the Bears didn't bat an eye at continuing to transform their pass rush by going after one of the top free agents in Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker and former ICC All-American Pernell McPhee.
According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoprt, the Bears and McPhee agreed to terms on a five-year contract reportedly worth nearly $40 million with $16 million in guaranteed money on Tuesday.
The Pahokee, FL native was used mainly as a pass rush specialist in numerous techniques and alignments during his career with the Ravens, but more importantly was his ability to move around within the scheme by reading what rushing lanes various offensive would give him.
McPhee had the third-highest pass rushing productivity rate of any outside linebacker in a 3-4 based defense and averaged one quarterback hit every 18.8 snaps played – which was tops in the NFL last season according to stats provided by ESPN.
Bears coach John Fox has told media they will be working from a 3-4 defense against regular personnel groupings, but will also run multiple looks along a hybrid version of the traditional 3-4 defensive look in an attempt to create pre-snap confusion – making McPhee the prototype for new Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The 26-year-old is expected to line up at outside linebacker, but Fangio is expected to bring a few more twists to the traditional defensive schemes Bears fans are used to seeing. With his ability to stand up and rush the gaps and play with his hand in the dirt to come off the edges, McPhee could expect to play anywhere across the front seven – minus nose tackle.
McPhee will be the first free agent acquisition by new Bears general manager Ryan Pace.
He was selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft and has recorded 92 tackles with 17 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and seven passes defended in his four seasons with the Ravens.
Other teams reportedly in the market for McPhee's services were the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.