The Bears are trying Shea McClellin at a new position.
McClellin, the club’s No. 1 pick in 2012, is moving from defensive end to linebacker, head coach Marc Trestman and G.M. Phil Emery said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to the club’s website.
Via ChicagoBears.com, Trestman and Emery both said that McClellin will get a look at strong-side linebacker as well as middle linebacker.
“His athleticism allows him to pressure the quarterback,” Emery said, per ChicagoBears.com, noting that the club would use McClellin a variety of ways. “We want to put him in position where he can make more plays overall.”
Finding a way to get more out of McClellin must be a major goal for the Bears in 2014. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound McClellin has recorded a combined 6.5 sacks in 28 regular-season games as a pro.