The critics of the Chicago Bears Khalil Mack trade will be plentiful. They would’ve been regardless. That’s just how it goes. Every move is scrutinized until the team starts winning. The Bears haven’t done that in six years. Something needed to change, so they decided to go get one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. However, as everybody knows, valuable commodities don’t come cheap.
Two first round picks and a player in the deal is a lot. There’s no denying that. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Here’s the thing. Elite pass rushers are the second-most valuable commodity a team can have behind an elite quarterback. That is the reality of this modern NFL. If your QB can’t put up lots of points, your defense better be able to stop the opponent from doing so.
There’s also a matter of history that many naysayers are conveniently overlooking. Look back over the course of the Bears timeline. If one were to examine the periods of greatest success the franchise has had, they’d find it never happened without a top five pass rusher.
Chicago Bears Khalil Mack trade fills that void once again
Think about it. Recall every deep playoff run or championship the Bears have secured in their long timeline and ask the question. Did they ever do it without a dominant pass rusher on the roster? The answer is fairly straightforward.
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- 1932-33 – Bill Hewitt
- 1940-43 – Dan Fortmann
- 1956-63 – Doug Atkins
- 1985 – Richard Dent
- 2005-10 – Adewale Ogunleye and Julius Peppers
Just so people are clear, the first four names on that list are in the Hall of Fame. Peppers will be five years after he retires. Mack is already well on his way to similar status. He’s 27 and already has 40.5 sacks. Even if he plays just six more seasons he’ll have over 100 for his career at that pace. History shows top rushers can go far longer than that.
This isn’t just a win-now move for the Bears. Mack is somebody they can build around for the foreseeable future, provided he stays healthy. Having never missed a game in his career, that doesn’t appear to be of great concern. Combine that with a defense that features mostly players his age or younger? Good things are ahead in Chicago.
All they have to do is trust Vic Fangio, one of the best coordinators in the league to know what must be done. He’s handled star pass rushers before. Ask Kevin Greene, Terrell Suggs, and Aldon Smith among others. This situation could be setting up much better.
