Bears Won't Pick Up 5th-Year Option On LB Shea McClellin

(CBS) The Bears won't pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Shea McClellin, general manager Ryan Pace said Wednesday, meaning 2015 will be a prove-it season if he wants Chicago to be in his long-term future.

McClellin has struggled since the Bears -- under former general manager Phil Emery -- selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft. McClellin came to Chicago as a defensive end, but after an underwhelming performance there, the Bears shifted him to linebacker in 2014. He was inconsistent there as well.

McClellin had 24 tackles and one sack in 2014, when he played in 12 games, starting 10. He had four sacks in 2013 when he played in 14 games and started 10. He had two-and-a-half sacks in his 2012 rookie season, appearing in 14 games with no starts.

McClellin is now on track to become a free agent after the 2015 season.

For players drafted between No. 11 and No. 32, the salary of a fifth-year option is calculated by averaging the top 25 paid players at that position, NFL.com reported.