FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots and linebacker Shea McClellin have agreed to a three-year contract, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Here are some things to know about McClellin:

First-round pick in 2012. The Bears, under former general manager Phil Emery, selected McClellin with the 19th overall pick of the first round in 2012. Coming out of Boise State, McClellin was considered a bit of a tweener from a position standpoint (defensive end or linebacker?), as he had seven sacks in his senior season and added 12 pounds on his frame between the Senior Bowl and the combine. The Bears initially thought he would fit best as a pass-rusher, but he ultimately moved to more of an off-the-line role (career-high 81 tackles in 2015). He's listed at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, and his four years in Chicago were viewed overall as a disappointment, based on his draft status.

Free-agent option was declined. The Bears could have picked up McClellin's fifth-year option to have him return in 2016 but passed. That made McClellin a free agent.

Career stats. McClellin played in 52 regular-season games with the Bears, starting 31. He totaled 161 tackles, 7.5 sacks and two passes defended. The team felt his best fit was at inside linebacker.

Special-teams experience extends to college. McClellin played special teams at Boise State, which projects to be a big part of his potential role in New England. In terms of his fit on defense, the initial thought is that he'll be part of the off-the-line linebacker group headlined by Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins.

Three head coaches in four years. McClellin was drafted when Lovie Smith was the Bears' head coach, then he played two years under Marc Trestman and last year under John Fox. Sometimes that type of volatility can affect a player's development, and that might explain McClellin's willingness to accept a three-year contract in New England, where Bill Belichick's job security isn't in question.