Khalil Mack comes across as a cool customer most of the time. He’s a smooth, soft talker who rarely raises his voice in interviews. It’s almost like he is in a library and doesn’t want to get scolded for being too loud. Don’t be fooled though. Beneath that calm surface churns a cauldron of raging fire. A volcano that is ready to erupt. People never truly understand how fierce a competitor Mack is and just how much he loves playing the game.
So try to think about this past preseason from his point of view. A guy who loves playing the game gets practically bolted to the sideline for a month, unable to play a single snap. Sure the games mean nothing, but to a guy like Mack, any game is fun when he’s allowed to go out and compete. Not being allowed to vent some of that pent up energy understandably has him antsy for the upcoming clash with the Green Bay Packers.
When Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune and other media members asked him if he was ready for action, the 28-year old All-Pro didn’t hold back in his response, going full NSFW.
“So. Fucking. Ready.”
Khalil Mack loves playing the Packers for one reason
It’s worth mentioning that last year Mack didn’t get to play in the preseason either. Fans saw the results of that lack of on-field action when, despite no time to learn the defense, he terrorized Green Bay on opening night at Lambeau Field with a strip-sack and a pick-six. A couple of months later he helped seal the division title by sacking Aaron Rodgers twice. When asked what his favorite thing about the rivalry is, that was the answer.
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“Sacking Aaron Rodgers, man. It’s always fun. Always fun playing against that guy. Going against one of the best in the game and understanding it’s one of the biggest rivalries. It just ups that level of competition.”
Mack no doubt plans to have plenty of opportunities to increase that tally on Thursday night. The Packers are in the midst of an offensive system change under new head coach Matt Lafleur. His offense last year in Tennessee allowed 47 sacks. This despite having the 6th-best running game in the league. They best hope they can somehow run the ball against Chicago because if Rodgers is forced to throw a lot, it could end up being a long night.
