Bears agree to terms with Ray McDonald on 1-year deal

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The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with free-agent defensive end Ray McDonald on a one-year deal.

McDonald had played each of his eight NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, but was released from the team in December amid a sexual assault investigation.

McDonald was also being investigated for a separate domestic violence case earlier in the 2014 season, and the 49ers controversially allowed him to play through it. McDonald hasn't been charged in either case.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace consulted with team chairman George McCaskey before proceeding with the deal. 

The 30-year-old's ties to new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likely played a significant role in Chicago's willingness to bring him in, and he fills a significant need as an interior run defender for the team heading into 2015.

McDonald started all but five games for San Francisco over the past four seasons, recording 14.5 sacks and playing a key role on one of the league's most dominant defensive fronts.