Khalil Mack seems like a happy man these days. He’s the highest-paid defender in the NFL. He’s playing on the best defense in the NFL on a team that is now 3-1 and tied for the best record in the NFC North. Oh and he’s firmly in the race for Defensive Player of the Year with 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in four games. However, there is one piece of unfinished business that has remained on his mind for over a year now.
The Oakland Raiders.
People are so used to seeing him dominate in a Bears uniform that they forget he used to wear the silver and black. Almost everybody expected that would always be the case after four outstanding years with the Raiders. However, going into 2018 a remarkable string of events saw him go from on the cusp of a big contract extension to being traded. Mack decided to holdout from training camp and the preseason over desires to get a new deal done.
Oakland, who had just handed full powers to new head coach Jon Gruden, balked at paying the money he wanted. Gruden always had misgivings about giving big bucks to defensive players. No surprise with him being an offensive coach. So when the two sides failed to make headway, the Raiders coach got fed up and greenlit the front office to seek a trade. Bears GM Ryan Pace didn’t hesitate, sending four draft picks including two 1st rounders to Oakland in exchange.
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It remains a deal that might one of the great heists of the past decade. It’s also a moment that Mack hasn’t forgotten.
Khalil Mack sounds like a man itching to play his former team
Deion Sanders placed a video call to Mack after the Bears’ big win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. They talked about his personal success this year as well as that of the entire Bears defense. Mack was his usual laid back self, indicating his utmost confidence in the unit continuing to dominate. Yet his biggest emotional reaction came when Primetime shifted the conversation to next week when the team travels to London to play the Raiders.
Mack didn’t even try to hide his personal anticipation for it.
“Yes sir. Yes sir. I’ve been looking forward to it. This is the one I’m looking forward to. I can’t lie to you, man. I got to let you know how it is, know what I’m saying? It’s going to be a big one for me.”
By the sound of things, Mack has been counting the days towards this game. While he may be happy in Chicago, the man is a competitor. He’s not liable to forgive or forget being traded away by the team he gave several precious days, months, and years to. Only to then be cast aside because he wanted the money he’d earned. His mission next Sunday will be to offer one last reminder of what they gave up.
All anybody can say is hopefully he doesn’t kill Derek Carr.
