Outside Linebackers
LOLB
1. Pernell McPhee- McPhee was Pace’s first ever free agent acquisition after he became the GM of the Bears in 2015. McPhee proved that was a smart move and became a playmaker for the Bears on defense and instantly one of their leaders. He had some injuries towards the end of the season and may not fully be healthy at the start of training camp but as long as he is near 100% and on the field he will be making an impact for Chicago.
2. Roy Robertson-Harris- The Bears have other capable outside linebackers including Willie Young, Sam Acho and Christian Jones who is working at both OLB and ILB, but Robertson-Harris could be the most compelling of them all. He is another undrafted rookie but has freakish athleticism and has a motor that never stops. That type of talent could be useful as a rotational pass rusher, and as a playmaker on special teams. He will be given every opportunity to make the roster this August.
ROLB
1. Lamarr Houston- This is Houston’s position to lose, and he will lose it at some point, the question is when? It could be this preseason, it could be during the season, or perhaps even next year, but Houston knows that right now the writing is on the wall. Leonard Floyd is in waiting and the Bears have other young, talented outside linebackers on the roster. Houston is coming off a solid season where he led the Bears in sacks so that will earn him the roster spot out of camp, but if one of the young guns outperforms him, Houston will find himself rotating into games rather than starting.
2. Leonard Floyd- The Bears love Floyd so much that they traded up a couple spots to nab him in the first round of this year’s draft. Floyd is very light and will need some time to bulk up and develop into an every down NFL linebacker but the Bears are hoping Floyd can use his talent to rotate in on passing downs this season. Once Floyd is ready to take over as a starter, the position is his, but that probably won’t be until 2017.
Player to Watch: Willie Young- Every time you look up, people are projecting Willie Young to be released or traded, but he keeps sticking around, and more importantly, contributing on the field. Most thought Young wouldn’t project as an OLB when the Bears switched to the 3-4 last season but he surprised many and did just that, tallying 6.5 sacks in the process. It’s always a question what the Bears will do with Young, but if he’s healthy and contributing, it’s hard not to see him on the roster this fall.