Tim

Shaw

Shaw has been one of the top special teams tacklers in the league with the Bears and Titans over the past few seasons. He’s purely a backup on defense.

A core special teamer, Shaw recently visited the Lions, but drew no other reported interest in free agency. One week removed from his 28th birthday, Shaw played all of two snaps on defense in 2011. He’s notched 43 tackles in 32 games the past two seasons.

Neither Bailey nor Shaw started a game for the Titans last season, but both are important special teams cogs. They will be back in Tennessee.

McCarthy has been down since sustaining his concussion against the Jaguars in Week 12. Backup Tim Shaw, who recorded nine tackles against the Jets Monday night, will head back to the bench.

Shaw is an excellent special teamer and should resurface. The Titans were trying to convert Solomon from defensive end to strong-side linebacker.

A fifth-round pick of the Panthers in 2007, Shaw appeared in 80 total NFL games and made three starts. The 30-year-old did his best work as a core special teamer for the Titans from 2010-12. After getting released at final cuts last offseason, Shaw found zero interest around the league.

Shaw is somewhat undersized but has great speed and proved at Penn State that he can hurry the passer. He’ll back up the strong side as a rookie.

While Brooks could start at weak-side linebacker eventually, Campbell and Shaw are strictly special teams options. Signing either of the latter two would indicate that Chicago is comfortable starting Hunter Hillenmeyer inside.

Chicago could easily sign two linebackers this week, so Shaw’s addition doesn’t rule out a Derrick Brooks move. Shaw is not an option on defense.

Ideally, he’ll take on the special teams duties Hunter Hillenmeyer will leave behind now that he’s starting at middle linebacker. The Bears need to get Jamar Williams healthy. Ultimately, he may prove their best option inside.