LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- General manager Ryan Pace's first order of business in free agency two years ago was signing Pernell McPhee to a five-year contract at an average annual cost of $7.750 million ($15.5 million of the deal was guaranteed).
McPhee, the highest-paid member of Chicago’s defense, spent the first six weeks on the physically unable to perform list after knee surgery robbed him of the opportunity to participate in the offseason program or training camp. He also missed Week 17 due to a shoulder injury.
In nine appearances in 2016, McPhee was primarily a rotational player, finishing with 16 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble.