LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with special teams ace Sherrick McManis on a two-year contract, the club said on Thursday.
It’s an important transaction considering the Bears’ uneven performance on the third phase last year.
McManis is one of the organization’s best special teams contributors, recording a team-best 17 special-teams tackles in 2015.
In four seasons in Chicago, McManis’ 55 stops on special teams are the most of any player over that span.
Head coach John Fox and his staff gave McManis a hard look on defense after the Northwestern University product turned in an exceptionally strong preseason. After years of being pigeonholed as exclusively a special-teams player, McManis began the year as the club’s starting nickel back, but later relinquished that role to undrafted rookie Bryce Callahan.
A six-year NFL veteran, McManis has 26 defensive tackles, one interception and five pass breakups. He’s also tallied one blocked punt, one forced fumble on special teams and two fumble recoveries on special teams.