Could Jared Allen be in for a big year? (USATSI)

Maybe it was the bout with pneumonia that wrecked Jared Allen's season in 2014. Or maybe age finally caught up to the now 33-year-old pass rusher. Regardless of the cause of the demise of Allen last season, new Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has a plan for Allen.

Not only does Fangio plan to deploy Allen as a linebacker in his 3-4 defense, but he's also expecting Allen to revive his career in 2015.

"(Allen) did well in the minicamp we had here, and I think he was excited about it," Fangio told ESPN.com. "Like I told him, I think he can have a rebirth to his career here playing a little bit of a new position."

Like the rest of the Bears defense, 2014 wasn't the best of seasons for Allen. He finished with 5.5 sacks, his lowest output in his 11-year career. And now, Fangio's entrance is marked with the arrival of an entirely new defensive scheme in Chicago.

At first glance, the Bears roster contains a bunch of traditional defensive ends and a lack of hybrid linebackers that fit in Fangio's defense. So, expect Allen -- along with Lamarr Houston and Willie Young -- to be forced to adapt to a new role.

"They've got to be able to function in coverage a little bit," Fangio said. "We're not going to have them doing tough jobs in coverage. Some of them can be, and evolve to be, depending upon the play."

At the same time, Fangio is aware of what Allen typically excels at. And he fully expects Allen to have chances to get after opposing quarterbacks this season.

"In the NFL today, you play more nickel than you actually play base," Fangio said. "For some teams they play nickel 65 to 75 percent of the time. He'll be playing his normal position then. So it's not as drastic of a change as you might think."

The Bears better hope the change from last year to this year is drastic. The former Monsters of the Midway ranked 30th in yards allowed per game and 31st in points allowed per game. But Fangio -- who formerly coached the 49ers' defense -- offers more than just a new scheme, he also offers promise. In the last four seasons, Fangio's defense ranked in the top 10 in both points and yards allowed. And, despite an injury riddled season in 2014, the 49ers' defense finished No. 5 in the league overall.

The Bears were pretty much gifted Fangio when the 49ers let Jim Harbaugh walk on over to Michigan, and hired defensive line coach Jim Tomsula as their new head coach instead of Fangio. When Fangio was released from his contract, the Bears happily scooped him up.

Now, Fangio is tasked with restoring Chicago's defense after the debacle of former defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. A revamped Jared Allen would make Fangio's task a bit easier.