Why A Khalil Mack Bears Reunion Is More Than Plausible

It isn’t a secret that the Chicago Bears will look to bolster their defense over the next three months. The unit was 29th in the NFL last season. They won’t win a championship with a unit that weak. Unfortunately, they don’t have the resources necessary to take many big swings in free agency. That means Bears general manager Ryan Poles must rely on calculated spending and another good draft. Near the top of their list of priorities is pass rusher. While there are plenty of intriguing names expected to be available next month, the Bears must be careful about how aggressive they’ll be. Enter Khalil Mack.

The nine-time Pro Bowler spent four years in Chicago from 2018 through 2021, collecting 36 sacks. Sadly, Poles was forced to trade him when he took over as GM, needing the cap space and draft picks to retool an aging and shallow roster. Things have changed since then. Chicago is younger, deeper, and coming off its best season in 15 years. Another jolt to their pass rush could push them one step closer to a Super Bowl. Is a reunion with Mack, who is set to become a free agent, entirely crazy?

Not at all. Let’s explore why.

Dennis Allen knows Khalil Mack

Everybody talks about Dennis Allen and his connection to Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. They almost never recall that the Bears’ defensive coordinator also worked with Mack. Allen was the Oakland Raiders head coach in 2014 when they drafted the edge rusher out of Buffalo. It was only one season, but the two learned a lot about each other in a short time. Mack really started coming alive in the second half of that season. It’s fair to wonder what might’ve happened if he’d gotten to play for Allen longer.

Allen was fired after that season, and Khalil Mack continued his career under Jack Del Rio before eventually being traded to Chicago. The two have occasionally crossed paths since then. This marks the first real opportunity for a reunion in over a decade. We already know Allen understands what Mack can do. He was a central part of the draft evaluation in 2014. He’s also familiar with how to handle older pass rushers, as evidenced by his use of Cameron Jordan in New Orleans.

Mack will likely be cheaper than Trey Hendrickson

Remember, much of what the Bears do in free agency will be according to a strict budget. Hendrickson is predicted to cost somewhere north of $20 million per year. Mack is three years older than him. He turns 35 this year. Players that age never command top dollar. Current estimates put the cost at between $14 million and $18 million per year to sign him. While still expensive, it’s considerably less than what Hendrickson would command, and the Bears would likely only be on the hook for one year in any deal made.

If it works out? Great. If he fades? Though unfortunate, it won’t hurt their long-term prospects. Besides, history says top pass rushers can be productive at his age.

Khalil Mack had 5.5 sacks last season despite missing five games with injuries. When healthy, he’s shown he can still be a dangerous threat off the edge. If his snaps are managed properly, he would make a welcome addition.