The Chicago Bears offseason is moving into the free agency period. With the NFL Combine now complete, the Bears front office will be busy preparing to sign new contracts when free agency officially begins on Wednesday, March 12. However, many deals will start taking shape over the next week, with official announcements expected on March 12—just as the Bears quickly signed D’Andre Swift at the start of free agency last year.
One name generating buzz is Khalil Mack and the possibility of his return to Chicago. Reports suggest mutual interest between the Bears and Mack.
Khalil Mack reunion picking up steam.
Just makes sense for both Chicago and Mack. Especially if it's a 1-2 year deal.
Via 670 The Score. pic.twitter.com/EcIRsGxbvD
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 3, 2025
Over the past three seasons with the Chargers, Mack has proven to be both durable and productive:
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Played 16+ games each year
Recorded 31 sacks
Generated 193 pressures
At 34 years old, Mack still has plenty left in the tank, especially if paired with another elite edge rusher like Montez Sweat. The key question is: What will it take to sign him?
How Much Will Khalil Mack Cost?
This is where things get interesting. Ideally, the Bears would sign Mack to a one- or two-year deal, and Mack appears open to that timeline. However, Pro Football Focus projects his next contract to be two years, $45 million with an average annual value of $22.5 million and $40 million guaranteed.
Should the Bears sign Khalil Mack in free agency? pic.twitter.com/wqIBDpI7Yj
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 3, 2025
Is that too much for a 34-year-old edge rusher? It might be, but it could also reflect his market value. If the Bears want to allocate resources elsewhere, committing $40 million guaranteed to Mack may be a tough decision for GM Ryan Poles. A potential solution could be negotiating a more team-friendly deal with incentives to bridge the gap.
Regardless, Mack will be a name to watch closely as free agency heats up.
