Bears Won’t Pick Up LB Shea McClellin’s Fifth-Year Option

Bears GM Ryan Pace told reporters on Wednesday that they will not pick up LB Shea McClellin‘s fifth-year option, per Brad Biggs.

This is hardly surprising news given that McClellin has struggled to carve out a role with the Bears since they used a first-round pick on him a few years ago.

It would have cost the Bears $7.751 million for the 2016 season. However, this figure is guaranteed for injury only and wouldn’t prevent them from working out a long-term deal that would come with a lower cap figure.

McClellin, 25, is entering the final year of four-year, $8,263,398 rookie contract that included $7,522,171 guaranteed. He’ll make a base salary of $775,600 in 2015 before testing the open market next year.

In 2014, McClellin appeared in 12 games for the Bears and recorded 36 tackles, one sack and a pass defense.