Pernell McPhee to Bears: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction
Published by Adam Wells on March 11, 2015
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Defensive lineman Pernell McPhee picked an opportune time to hit free agency. The 26-year-old is coming off of his most productive season with 7.5 sacks, which was enough to convince the Chicago Bears that he was worth a big investment.
The Bears confirmed Wednesday that they had agreed to a five-year deal with the former Baltimore Raven.
McPhee was one of the most fascinating test cases for any free agent this offseason. He’s only started six games in his career, all in 2012, and he was used as a situational pass-rusher for the Ravens over the last four years.
Despite the limited starting experience, McPhee made the most of his opportunities with 17 career sacks and seven passes defended. Given the way teams value edge-rushers, even with limited starting experience, he seemed to be in line for a sizable contract.
Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reported in February that McPhee was “expected to command an annual salary between $8 million and $10 million.”
In November, Chris McFarland of Pro Football Focus noted that the Ravens had one of the most productive pass-rushing stables in the NFL:
Elvis Dumervil (+18.7), Pernell McPhee (+18.0) and Terrell Suggs (+10.3), rank, second, third and fifth respectively as pass rushers among 3-4 outside linebackers over the last nine weeks. Only nine 3-4 OLBs have racked up 30+ pressures over that time span, and you’ll find all three Ravens in the Top 5: McPhee (39), Dumervil (33), and Suggs (31).
When you combine that kind of success, McPhee’s leverage in negotiations with other teams and Baltimore always hovering near the salary cap, his future was clearly elsewhere.
Now, however, is where the pressure starts for McPhee. He’s not being paid to be a situational player, nor does he have talents like Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs around to take pressure away from him.
McPhee may be up to the task. He’s still young and has done plenty in four years with the Ravens, long before Dumervil arrived. But it will be a different challenge than the former Mississippi State star has ever gone up against.
The NFL is a league with defenses built on getting after the quarterback. McPhee has done that throughout his career, and his new team clearly believes that trend will continue based on this investment.
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