A New Monster of The Midway?
The Chicago Bears have signed versatile linebacker Pernell McPhee. The deal is $40 million over 5 years. The contract includes 16 million guaranteed, while no deal can officially be signed until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. The Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun Aaron Wilson broke the story.
Pernell McPhee to Chicago Bears on five-year, $40 million deal, nearly $16 million guaranteed: https://t.co/JdSXJrop6Y
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 9, 2015
Pernell McPhee wanted to play for Bears coach John Fox, was impressed with him and the Bears’ plan for him as a pass rusher
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 9, 2015
While many NFL fans are unaware of the impact McPhee has, he did record 7.5 sacks last season while playing less than 50% of the teams defensive snaps. McPhee found himself buried on the depth chart behind Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, and Courtney Upshaw. Pernell has a special ability to rush the passer. His 21 quarterback hits ranked only behind J.J. Watt. Make no mistake about his McPhee is a talented player, it just so happened he was a luxury the Ravens could no longer afford.
With the Bears moving to a 3-4 scheme under Vic Fangio, McPhee makes for a perfect outside linebacker. Jared Allen is expected to play the other outside linebacker position. It appears the Bears are not done looking for talent as they have set their sights on Terrence Knighton. Knighton was coached by John Fox in Denver who is now the head man in the windy city. Pernell McPhee acknowledged in December that it was up in the air if he would be playing for Baltimore in 2015.
“I would love to be here,” McPhee said. “It’s a business. I hope they’ll want me back. I hope so, man. I don’t know if they’re talking, but I hope so. This is where I was born in the NFL, and I wouldn’t mind continuing to live here and keep it going.”
The Ravens now are a team with a growing list of needs. Haloti Ngata may be on his way out as well unless they can restructure his contract. Torrey Smith has already written his farewell to the Ravens and Justin Forsett seems to be a goner after pursuit from other teams. With only $4 million in cap space the Ravens could be in trouble thanks in large part to the Ray Rice dead money. Good news for Raven fans is the team is expected to receive 4 compensatory picks just as it does basically every offseason due to departing free agents.
