Chicago Bears: Pernell McPhee vital to season turnaround

If the Chicago Bears are able to turn their season around, Pernell McPhee will likely be a big reason why.

It’s taken awhile, but Pernell McPhee is finally healthy and contributing the way the Chicago Bears need to him to. After being limited to four snaps in Week 1 and 24 in Week 2, McPhee has seen his snap count increase each week. Now, in the past two weeks, he’s played 82 snaps. The seventh-year outside linebacker has looked better each week, and his knee injuries finally seem to be behind him.

His numbers might not be eye-popping, but McPhee has had an impact that the team sorely needs. With Willie Young on injured reserve and Sam Acho not playing at a high level, the Bears need McPhee to be a difference maker opposite of Leonard Floyd, and so far, he has been.

McPhee’s impact goes far beyond what he brings on the field, however. His passion, leadership, and toughness is unquestioned, and his love for the game is apparent. Before the game against the Ravens — his former team — McPhee gave an impassioned speech that apparently worked, because the defense arguably had its best performance of the season.

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The Bears lack leaders because most of them are hurt. The defense’s opening-season captains—Jerrell Freeman and Quintin Demps—are on injured reserve and may not play again this season. Leonard Floyd is not a rah-rah player, and Danny Trevathan simply has not been available enough on a consistent basis to be looked at as an inspiring force. That leaves Akiem Hicks and McPhee to carry the load on the defense.

McPhee has been criticized often because he’s making a lot of money and has not been able to stay healthy. His longevity is a bit of a concern, but McPhee is healthy now and making plays. His style of play epitomizes how a Chicago Bears linebacker should play, and his pure energy rubs off on other players. McPhee was a terrific player before his knee injuries, and he seems to be starting to reach that level of play again.

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If the Bears are able to turn this season around, a lot of it will have to do with McPhee’s play and passion for the game.