Kelvin Sheppard signs with the Chicago Bears after the Miami Dolphins pass

The Miami Dolphins auditioned Rey Maualuga and Kelvin Sheppard earlier this week, and the latter of the two has agreed to join the Chicago Bears after leaving south Florida without a contract.

Both linebackers were brought in for evaluation in the aftermath of Raekwon McMillan's season-ending knee injury, but the Dolphins appear to be content with their current talent. Mike Hull has since been promoted to middle linebacker, and has enjoyed relative success through Miami's first two preseason games.

Sheppard spent two years with the Dolphins before joining the New York Giants for the 2016 season. While in Miami, the former third-round pick out of LSU started in 15 games - 14 of those starts came in the 2015 season. Sheppard—a six-year NFL veteran—will now compete for playing time in a crowded-but-unheralded linebacker group in Chicago.

Maualuga, however, is still looking for a home after playing his entire eight-year career for the Cincinnati Bengals.

You can get more coverage on the Sheppard signing by visiting Windy City Gridiron.