The Chicago Bears are in a tough situation at linebacker heading into 2013, as they have lost Nick Roach to the Raiders and have had trouble coming to an agreement with long-time star Brian Urlacher, meaning the team may have to look at other options.
According to ESPN.com, Roach signed a four-year deal with the Raiders, while Urlacher is still working on trying to get a deal togtehr with the Bears. One option the team could look to is the Raiders themselves, as the team gave linebacker Rolando McClain permission to seek a trade or they will release him, according to InsideBayArea.com. The Bears could find a way to bring the former first round pick in, as he is still young despite having some off the field issues.
The Raiders gave permission to McClain's agent after a tough season with the team that saw him lose his starting job and get suspended after getting into a disagreement with the coaching staff. McClain was a first round pick in 2010, but the Raiders appear ready to move on, as they have signed Kaluaka Maiava, Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett as free agents.
McClain still has $4 million in salary for next season and the three-year player has shown potential, but teams may be weary due to his legal issues. The team would like to trade him so it doesn't have to suffer a $7 million cap hit and if the Bears get desperate, they could make a move.
Urlacher has been a franchise star for the team, but his play has diminished over the past two years. Despite his issues, McClain is just 24-years-old and he has shown potential early in his career, including in 2011 when he played in 14 games and had five sacks with a career-high 14 passes defended.
McClain was highly touted after coming out of Alabama, but he has made a mess of his personal life, getting arrested twice in his home town in Alabama. Once he was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at someone and firing it near them and he later was pulled over and gave a false name to a police officer.
In 2012 McClain recorded 62 tackles and a sack and played nearly half the teams snaps on defense and ins his three seasons he has made 246 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one interception. He originally signed a five-year, $40.25 million contract and now joins names like Michael Huff, Phillip Wheeler and Desmond Bryant as players that will not be with the Raiders next season.
The team brought in Nick Roach on a four-year deal and after going 4-12 the team is hoping to improve on defense. Other options out there include Dwight Freeney as well as Urlacher and Karlos Dansby, who are free agents, the Bears were solid on defense last season, ranking eighth in both passing yards and rushing yards allowed per game.
The team missed the playoffs despite winning in Week 17 and the team will look to get faster and more improved on defense under new head coach Marc Trestman