Misery loves company, and with the Dallas Cowboys receiving much media backlash for their acquisition of controversial Defensive End Greg Hardy this past week, the Chicago Bears decided to share the maligned spotlight with them. ESPN’s NFL insider Chris Mortensen reports that the Bears have reached a deal with former San Francisco 49ers Defensive End Ray McDonald:
While he is not a pro-bowl caliber type player, McDonald can undoubtedly be a valuable asset to anybody look for a rotational DE in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Also he will be reunited with his former 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Chicago, which should allow an easier transition to the defense. McDonald’s contract, similar to that of Dallas Cowboys’ Greg Hardy, will be a one year deal. This gives the Bears a chance to move on if the acquisition does not work during the season. In a post-Ray Rice NFL era, and teams like Chicago and Dallas attempting to give players like Hardy and McDonald a second chance, the pressure continues to be placed on the NFL as an organization to assess this issue for future seasons to come.