Report: Patriots Sign Shea McClellin To Three-Year Contract

In an effort to add more versatility to their defensive front, the New England Patriots have signed former Chicago Bears linebacker Shea McClellin to a three-year contract, according to ESPN.

Patriots Sign Shea McClellin To Three-Year Contract

McClellin was drafted by the Bears as the 19th overall pick in 2012, just two selections before the Patriots took Chandler Jones, whom the team just traded to the Arizona Cardinals.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound former Boise State outside linebacker can play all over the place in the front seven. McClellin can play strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 base, lining up in space or at the line over the tight end. He also has some experience as an inside linebacker, and only has 7.5 sacks in 52 career games, so he has been moved around a bit more. He also has 161 total tackles and one forced fumble.

Although McClellin hasn’t performed as well as he was expected to for a first-round pick in 2012, the fact that he’s played for three different head coaches in four years likely hasn’t helped much. That lack of consistency doesn’t help a player who can play several different positions. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will certainly move him around, and McClellin is the type of player whose attributes will likely be maximized by New England’s team.

Caption: MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 20: Shea McClellin #50 of the Chicago Bears wraps up Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter of the game on December 20, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)