Shea McClellin dropped 11 pounds in the offseason in preparation for his switch to linebacker.

McClellin looks like a new man. He's down to 252 pounds, saw his forty time quicken from 4.74 to 4.50, and dropped a ton of bad weight, getting his body fat percentage down from 18 to 10. McClellin spent the winter in California training, working on his drops, getting stronger, and building up his confidence. The Bears plan to work the 2012 first-rounder at strong-side linebacker.

The Bears will work former DE Shea McClellin at both strong-side and middle linebacker this offseason.

The only secure linebacker position in Chicago is on the weak side, where Lance Briggs is locked in. The other two spots are up for grabs. McClellin was a bust at defensive end, but GM Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman are confident he'll contribute on the second level. He'll emerge onto the IDP radar if he wins the middle linebacker job, but is most likely ticketed for "Sam."

The Chicago Tribune confirms 2012 first-round pick Shea McClellin will convert to strong-side linebacker this offseason.

After failing as a pass-rush specialist, the Bears hope to salvage McClellin's career as a stand-up linebacker, where GM Phil Emery believes he can upgrade the team's run defense. Chicago's hope is McClellin will make like Seahawks DE-turned-SLB Bruce Irvin and allow the Bears to field as many athletes on defense as possible. McClellin mostly played with his hand up at Boise State.

Coach Marc Trestman suggested Shea McClellin could be moved to linebacker.

McClellin has been unproductive since the Bears took him 19th overall in 2012, compiling 6.5 sacks as a rotational rusher in 28 games. Trestman thinks he could play some SAM linebacker in a 4-3, while GM Phil Emery said he hopes McClellin can progress like Rob Ninkovich and Jason Babin did. It's certainly not all on McClellin, but the once proud Bears defense finished the season 30th in the league.

Bears LE Shea McClellin (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Week 10 against the Lions.

It's another big blow to Chicago's run defense; McClellin has been the team's every-down starting left end and GM Phil Emery recently praised McClellin publicly for his run stoppage. The Bears are already without DT Henry Melton, and RE Julius Peppers has struggled all year. Fire up Reggie Bush in Week 10.

Bears DE Shea McClellin has been battling plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

It must not be a severe case because McClellin has been active in OTAs and the team expects him to participate in this week's minicamp. The No. 19 overall pick in last year's draft missed two games last season, but neither absence was due to foot woes. McClellin finished with just 2.5 sacks as a situational rusher.

Bears DE Shea McClellin has gained 5-7 pounds of muscle since the end of last season.

McClellin was listed at 260 pounds as a rookie. It's safe to say he's not bulking up in anticipation of a move to middle linebacker. Asked whether he views McClellin as a starter, new DC Mel Tucker was coy. "He'll get what he earns." McClellin doesn't project as a starter for 2013.

GM Phil Emery said Shea McClellin will remain at defensive end.

Bears DE Shea McClellin has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL.

McClellin left Sunday's game against the Vikings in the first half and was unable to return. The reeling Bears "hope" their first-round rookie will be able to play in a Week 15 showdown with the Packers. McClellin came into Week 14 with 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the season.

Bears DE Shea McClellin left Sunday's game with a knee injury.

He's questionable to return for the second half. The Bears have been using the rookie first-rounder as a "joker" of late, moving him around the formation.

Bears rookie DE Shea McClellin's (concussion) has been cleared to resume practicing.

He'll be ready to roll for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Chicago's first-round pick has nine tackles and 2.5 sacks through his first nine career games.

Bears rookie DE Shea McClellin's (concussion) Week 11 status is uncertain.

Bears rookie DE Shea McClellin left Sunday night's game against the Texans with a concussion and will not return.

McClellin exited early in the opening quarter. The first-round rotational end had just nine tackles and 2.5 sacks entering the contest.

First-round DE Shea McClellin will not be asked to drop into coverage this season.

The Bears have a very specific package set up for McClellin and it's similar to the one the 49ers used with Aldon Smith last season. They'll put him in on obvious passing downs opposite Julius Peppers and let him pin his ears back. As a high-motor pass rusher at Boise State, McClellin racked up 16.5 sacks over his final two seasons.

The Chicago Tribune says that first-round DE Shea McClellin will "ideally" play 50 percent of the snaps as a rookie.

McClellin figures to come off the bench behind Israel Idonije in base formations and then play on passing downs opposite Julius Peppers. In that scenario, Idonije would kick inside to rush the passer. The Bears managed just 33 total sacks last season -- with Peppers accounting for 11 of those.

No. 19 pick DE Shea McClellin saw few, "if any" snaps with the first-team in Bears minicamp.

The Bears are serious about making their first-round pick beat out Israel Idonije at left end. Even if McClellin enters Week 1 as a reserve, he should see plenty of snaps in nickel situations.

First-round pick Shea McClellin will open the offseason as the Bears' No. 3 defensive end behind Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije.

McClellin could bump Idonije out of the starting left end job eventually, but for now the rookie will work as a nickel pass rusher. If the Bears started the season this way, Peppers and Idonije would be the right and left ends, respectively, on early downs. McClellin would enter at right end in the nickel, with Peppers moving to LE and Idonije kicking inside to rush from a tackle spot.

Bears signed rookie DE Shea McClellin, the No. 19 overall pick, to a four-year, $8.2 million contract.

He received $7.5 million guaranteed. McClellin certainly will be heavily involved in Chicago's nickel defense, but it remains to be seen whether he'll beat out LE Israel Idonije for a role in the base package. For now, we're penciling in McClellin as an every-down defensive end. The Bears have shown no interest in playing McClellin as a stand-up outside linebacker, so far.