dpEight years after the Bears traded for pass rusher Khalil Mack, the Bears could be doing it all over again.
Via Jonathan Jones of The Athletic (who isn’t their “insider” but who is posting a Saturday “insider” column like their former “insider” did), Mack could be making his way back to Chicago before the trade deadline.
The Chargers are 0-4 and fading fast. The Bears are 3-1 and could use a boost on the edge.
Mack has a base salary of $8 million in 2026, the last year of his current deal. He’ll have $5.77 million remaining in pay after this week. The Bears, as Jones notes, currently have approximately $9 million in cap space.
Mack, 35, still has gas in the tank. He has three sacks in four games this year, for a team that has yet to enjoy having a late lead that is conducive to the proverbial pinning of the ears back.
If/when the Chargers decide to start moving contracts (they’re two games from their bye week), the next question would become compensation for Mack. If he only wants to go to Chicago, that could make it hard to maximize the return.
In 2018, the Bears gave up two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick to get Mack. It would be a lot less this time around.
The trade deadline arrives the Tuesday after Week 9. Which is only 31 days away.
