Chicago Bears to switch Shea McClellin to strong-side linebacker in 2014
By Josh Hill
The Chicago Bears wanted to find a defensive end compliment to Julius Peppers in the draft, and went high on 2011 first-round pick Shea McClellin. While there were high hopes for McClellin on the defensive line for the Bears, he hasn’t quite panned out the way the team would have liked and that has prompted a position change.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are planning on moving McClellin to strong-side linebacker for the 2014 season.
This is a move that will hopefully salvage McClellin’s career, as he’s clearly not going to stick around long with the Bears if he were to continue as an edge rusher. Chicago has been inspired by the way the Seattle Seahawks moved defensive end Bruce Irvin to strong-side linebacker and the success he’s had following the move.
McClellin and Irvin are two different players though, and there’s no guarantee that a move to linebacker will revive the career of McClellin. Still, the move is one that has paid off for other teams with other players, and the Bears want their once promising defensive end to add his name to that list.