AJ Klein's contract: How much will the former Ravens LB earn in Chicago Bears?

To obtain Roquan Smith, the Baltimore Ravens have traded linebacker AJ Klein to the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears have a clear need at linebacker, while Baltimore no longer require the seasoned Klein after strengthening in that position.

AJ Klein joined the Baltimore Ravens with a one-year, $1,120,000 deal that included an average annual salary of $1,120,000. The linebacker signed a contract that ensured his base salary of $1,120,000 and a cap hit of $497,220 this season.

It is anticipated that the Chicago Bears will honor the remaining terms of his contract through the completion of the current campaign.

Klein, 31, was a 2013 Carolina Panthers' fifth-round draft choice, before agreeing to a four-year, $2,351,300 contract with the Saints in 2017.

When he tested the free agent market in 2020 following three years in the New Orleans Saints, the Buffalo Bills signed the 31-year-old to a three-year, $18 million contract. Buffalo decided to let him go in March of last year.

This season, Klein spent some brief time with the New York Giants' practice team before being signed by the Ravens on October 6. His third different team this year is the Bears.

The rebuilding of the Chicago Bears includes acquiring Klein and second and fifth-round picks. In addition, Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn were traded in exchange for three draft selections.

AJ Klein's inclusion in the deal doesn't cost the Ravens much, but it does offer Chicago a seasoned linebacker to add to the mix for the remainder of the season. But, of course, it's possible that the Ravens were going to remove Klein to make room in the squad for Smith anyway.

Why did the Chicago Bears take AJ Klein?

AJ Klein has played in two contests for the Ravens this campaign, making five tackles and one for loss.

He played only 15 defensive snaps and five special team's snaps despite being a starter for the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night when they faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

AJ Klein was taken by the Chicago Bears, most likely for special teams. One of the Chicago Bears' top special teams players was Jack Sanborn.

If Sanborn plays every defensive snap, he cannot possibly play the special teams. Therefore, they require depth in this area. Klein has taken over 1,800 special teams snaps in his league career.

He served as one of the group's special teams aces during his stint with the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills. This quality is why he still plays in the NFL at the age of 31.