Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and the Chicago Bears agreed to a five-year, $40 million deal with $16 million guaranteed. The contract can be finalized Monday when NFL free agency officially begins.

McPhee was one of the top outside linebackers available and the Bears, under the direction of first-year coordinator Vic Fangio, plan to transition to a 3-4 scheme as head coach John Fox makes over a porous defense.

Fox said shoring up the front seven was a priority that helps everything else fall into place.

In Carolina, he was able to draft Julius Peppers and in Denver, Fox nabbed Von Miller in the draft and prior to 2014 signed DeMarcus Ware.

Chicago is well short of that kind of impact edge rusher but not for lack of trying. Just last season the Bears dipped into the pool of free agent pass rushers to hook LaMarr Houston and Jared Allen.

McPhee, 26, was used as a versatile chess piece in Baltimore. The Ravens used him at outside linebacker and defensive end and even inside at tackle on occasion.

Chicago traded wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Jets for a fifth-round pick — the deal can be announced Tuesday — but the Bears remain silent on the status of quarterback Jay Cutler, whose 2015 salary is guaranteed if he remains on the roster Thursday.