The Bears made official Wednesday what they had agreed to Monday: a five-year deal with former Ravens outside linebacker Pernell McPhee.
The deal was for $40 million, with $16 million guaranteed.
McPhee, along with Bears GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox, will meet the media Wednesday afternoon. Pace and Fox are chasing players to join McPhee, including receiver Eddie Royal, safety Antrel Rolle and others.
The first signing of the new regime was considered one of the best available pass rushers on the free agent market despite the fact he’d started only six career games with the Ravens — and none in the past two seasons.
The 26-year-old’s contract year was a career one — he recorded 7 ½ sacks, four pass breakups and 11 tackles for loss. His 38 combined quarterback knockdowns and hurries were the 14th-most in the NFL, per STATS, Inc.
At 6-3, 280 pounds, McPhee is likely an outside linebacker, though he has the ability to put his hand in the ground as a defensive end and often blitzed inside with the Ravens.
His pass rushes last season came from the left side about half the time, from the right side 38 percent and up the middle 12 percent, per Pro Football Focus.
The Bears are seeking fits for new coordinator Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense; they said that ends Jared Allen and Willie Young would likely move to outside linebacker, while Lamarr Houston could likely play either end or linebacker.
