Defensive back Sherrick McManis paid a visit to the Patriots on Thursday, but he won’t be playing in New England during the 2016 season.
The Bears announced on Thursday night that McManis is returning to the team on a two-year deal. McManis joined the Bears in an August 2012 trade with the Texans and has been in the lineup 55 times over the last four seasons.
McManis has made five starts over that period, four of them coming last season, but most of his work has come on special teams. He led the team with 17 special teams tackles last season and will likely continue to be a prominent member of those units.
McManis’ visit to New England didn’t result in a contract, but there’s a chance that the Bears could sign a player away from the Patriots this week. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that defensive lineman Akiem Hicks will visit the Bears on Friday.
The Patriots acquired Hicks in a trade with the Saints last year and he gave them 21 tackles and three sacks in 13 games as a useful part of the defensive line rotation. He was originally a 2012 third-round pick by the Saints, who employed Bears General Manager Ryan Pace at the time.