web analytics

Patriots To Sign Shea McClellin

NFL News
March 16, 2016

After agreeing to acquire tight end Martellus Bennett from the Bears on Wednesday, the Patriots have added another ex-Chicago player. The Pats have reached a three-year deal with free agent linebacker Shea McClellin, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (Twitter links). Financial details are not yet available.

In landing McClellin, the Pats have kept him from the AFC East rival Jets, who visited with the 26-year-old last week. McClellin was the Bears’ first-round pick in 2012, but he never lived up to his draft status, totaling just 161 tackles and 7.5 sacks in four years. As a result of his disappointing play, the Bears declined his fifth-year option for 2016 last offseason. McLellin responded by notching a career-best 81 tackles in 12 games. Eleven of those were starts, giving him 31 overall. Pro Football Focus wasn’t impressed with McClellin’s output last season, grading him 88th among 97 qualifying linebackers.

With the Patriots, he’ll join a linebacking corps that features two stars – Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower – as well as Jonathan Freeny.

You Might Also Like