And I can see why they would have them get reps at MLB. While I believe Williams should and will be the MLB, we can't necessarily rely on him to stay healthy, as his past has shown. He's actually not a bad MLB when healthy.
I don't see him starting at MLB even if Williams gets injured. When they said he would see some looks at MLB, I'm positive they were talking about the nickel packages.
I think Shea gets the SLB job. It's his to lose. Normally, that's the linebacker that gets replaced in the nickel. Emery's gonna want him on the field in passing situations, so they've got to find a spot.
Most of the time, I think we'll see the NT pulled off the field and Houston shifted to a DT spot. At that point, Shea can play as the LDE (in a 4-2-5) or can rush the passer from a standing position (in a 3-3-5). That's how Von Miller and Bruce Irvin are used, and I think that what they'll use as the blueprint.
Other times, I think we'll see Shea at MLB in the nickel. In that situation, the offensive line has to account for the four pass rushers as well as McClellin. The Bears could either blitz all five or have McClellin rush the passer while a DE drops into coverage (Houston did this in Oakland).
I could be completely wrong about all of this, but I think this is what they're going to do.
