LAKE FOREST, Ill. – For the Chicago Bears' defense to improve next year, Pernell McPhee must be more than a part-time player.
The veteran pass-rusher's playing time steadily has increased – McPhee played 72 percent of the snaps against Washington – since he came off the PUP list in Week 7, but the results are marginal.
Give McPhee credit for returning as soon as he did from serious offseason knee surgery – without the benefit of much practice time.