Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Linebackers

Jun 17, 2014; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back

(22) and linebacker Shea McClellin (50) during Chicago Bears minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest Camp Question

Shea McClellin

McClellin spent the offseason dropping weight and getting ripped in the gym, but does he have the strength to shed blockers and set the edge?  Does he have the speed to cover a tight end or get to a screen pass in the flat?  Those are the questions that McClellin the linebacker will have to answer.  McClellin the defensive end’s answers weren’t that good so hopefully McClellin the linebacker can say yes to those questions.  If he can’t, it could be one of GM Phil Emery’s biggest missteps since taking over as Bears GM in 2012.

Camp Battles to Watch

My fellow editor Mike Flannery did a great job outlining the position battle for MLB and a little birdie told me he is also working on one for the SLB spot, so stay tuned for that one, which will likely pit McClellin versus second year man Khaseem Greene with rookie Christian Jones possibly coming in to challenge for playing time as well.

Dark Horse

The aforementioned rookie linebacker Christian Jones.  Jones carried a 4th round grade from many scouts, so people thought he was a great pickup by the Bears as a free agent when his name wasn’t called in May.  Jones might have a tough time finding a place to fit on the Bears linebacker corps, so he’ll have to make an impression on special teams to earn himself a roster spot.