By most accounts, the Chicago Bears were decisive winners of the first Khalil Mack trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. They got multiple Pro Bowls, dozens of sacks, and two playoff appearances during his four-season stint with the team. The Raiders did little with the bounty of picks they got in return, with running back Josh Jacobs being their best selection. Sadly with the arrival of a new regime under GM Ryan Poles, it was decided the team needed to hit the reset button. So they traded Mack to a team he might have a chance to win with, the Los Angeles Chargers, securing a 2nd round pick in the process.
Things are going well enough for him. He has seven sacks this year, and the Chargers are 6-5, still in the AFC playoff picture. However, ESPN’s latest evaluation of the trade by insider Jeremy Fowler indicates the Bears are the winners. It’s not quite as lopsided as the first deal in 2018, but circumstances favor Chicago both for the immediate return in the draft pick and the ample salary cap space they have coming.
The Bears’ plan worked perfectly. Los Angeles’ only worked partially.
Grade for Bears: B
Grade for Chargers: C+
The Chargers’ deal for Mack was predicated on having a healthy Joey Bosa. Their plan was to have two dominant pass-rushers taking turns in the backfield, similar to the Raiders’ plan with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
The Raiders’ plan hasn’t worked because of lack of production (Jones has 0.5 sacks). The Chargers’ plan hasn’t worked because Bosa has missed most of the year with a groin injury…
…Overall, execs thought the Bears’ ask for Mack was “pretty fair” for both sides. Mack’s age made commanding a first-round pick difficult. The Bears used the pick to draft safety Jaquan Brisker, who looks like a player.
“With the Bears rebuilding and shedding money, it’s a pretty good deal,” an AFC exec said. “This was the first sign that Chicago was all-in on the rebuild.”
Khalil Mack will always be a bright spot in Bears’ history.
He was most directly responsible for getting the organization out of its extended funk between 2011 and 2017, where they’d failed to make the postseason. His 2018 campaign will go down as one of the best in Bears history. It’s just unfortunate the organization flubbed the quarterback with Mitch Trubisky. Had they drafted Patrick Mahomes, it’s likely Mack would still be in Chicago terrorizing opponents. Once it was clear the team was aging and falling apart, Poles made the right decision to cut ties.
Jaquan Brisker already looks like a future staple for their defense, leading the team in sacks (3) and ranking near the top in tackles as well. Poles had one shot, and he didn’t miss. Now he’ll be able to add more flavor with some moves in free agency using that money that would’ve otherwise gone to Khalil Mack. If he can land a strong veteran player that helps the organization immediately, it will make the trade look even better. One must credit the Bears GM for having the courage to make a move when he did.
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Mack was never as dominant as he was supposed to be. He was a great player yes but too often disappeared.
Of course the Bears won the trade, if the Chargers need Bosa to be available for Mack to be dominant, then, there’s your answer. While Mack was a key to the 2018 defense being dominant, he was not dominant when he needed to be, in key games and playoffs.
Too bad Mack had Nagy as the hc during his time here, but I do miss him he was a game wrecker and always needed special attention by the opposing teams. We are certainly missing a player of his caliber hopefully we can get Anderson.
Jasonflojet: Dunno why you were born but I have your cell phone if you’re looking for it.
I have already forgotten what this article is about… i think I left my cell phone in the bathroom… hey is that Drew Barrymore getting coffee? … why was I born?