Bears drop Ray McDonald, arrested on suspicion of domestic violence

Ray McDonald was released by the Chicago Bears hours after the defensive tackle was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment by Santa Clara police on Monday morning.

Santa Clara police said McDonald allegedly assaulted a woman while she was holding a baby at a residence early Monday. McDonald was later arrested at a San Jose home owned by former San Francisco 49ers teammate Justin Smith, the Chicago Tribune reported.

In a statement released by the Bears, General Manager Ryan Pace announced the team had cut the eight-year veteran.

“We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if was to remain a Bear,” Pace said. “He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him.”

Last year, McDonald was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and investigated in connection with an alleged sexual assault. Charges were never filed in the alleged domestic violence incident. The Associated Press said that the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office is considering whether to file charges against McDonald in connection with the alleged sexual assault, and added that McDonald has filed a defamation suit against a woman over the matter.

Last month, the NFL announced that McDonald did not violate the league’s conduct policy in regard to his arrest in the alleged domestic violence incident last year.

The 49ers released McDonald on Dec. 17 after police announced their assault investigation, with General Manager Trent Baalke citing a “pattern of poor decision-making” as a reason for his release. The Bears signed McDonald to a one-year contract on March 24.

Bears Chairman George McCaskey initially shot down Pace’s request to sign McDonald, but later changed his mind. McCaskey said he met with McDonald before his signing and told him what the team’s expectations would be.

“I told him that my assessment was ‘bad decision-making,’ allowing himself to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or not withdrawing from a situation at the appropriate time,” McCaskey told the Chicago Tribune. “And I told him, if he’s to remain a Bear, that needs to improve. And he pledged to me that it would.”

McDonald started in 14 games with the 49ers last season, recording three sacks and 26 tackles.