The chants for a Chicago Bears Khalil Mack trade haven’t died down for weeks. The superstar pass rusher remains deadlocked in contract negotiations with the Oakland Raiders. His holdout continues with the preseason one week from concluding. As long as this remains the case, rumors will persist about the possibility of him being dealt.
Yet there have been plenty of people shouting at the top of their lungs that it’s never going to happen. No team would be stupid enough to deal one of the best defensive players in the NFL when he’s in his physical prime at age 27. Except they’re neglecting the fact that this is the NFL and much crazier things have happened in its long history.
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden should know. He was part of the ultra-rare occurrence of a head coach being traded. The Raiders made that a reality when they dealt him to Tampa Bay. So it’s not like he’s in awe of making such a deal. That combined with his control of the roster and seemingly icy relationship with Mack should be plenty of fuel to stoke the flames.
Now it seems there may have finally been a break in that direction.
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Bears Khalil Mack trade dreams just got a nudge towards reality
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes that the supposedly cold reception the Raiders have had to trade inquiries thus far is a ruse. They may be more open to the idea than they’re letting on and are trying to drive up the price. With the Aaron Donald contract situation drawing to a close, the likely price tag in terms of money for Mack is coming into focus. This could help to facilitate a deal in the near future.
“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Raiders haven’t slammed the door on the possibility of trading the 2016 defensive player of the year. That said, the Raiders are being coy with the teams that have inquired.
Recent reports have indicated as many as a dozen teams kicking tires on a possible trade. Four teams, we’re told, are exploring the possibility very seriously.”
It would not shock at all if the Bears were one of those four teams in hot pursuit. Their pass rush situation is about as dire as it gets. Leonard Floyd has a broken hand. Aaron Lynch only just returned from a hamstring injury. Sam Acho, Isaiah Irving, and Kylie Fitts? None of them are proven as starters and none have shown they can be anything close to what Mack is.
What would Bears get in Mack and what will it cost?
Most people care about the price these days, so let’s assess. The Donald contract is reportedly set to make him the highest-paid defender in NFL history. Estimates are it will be around $22 million a year. That sets the benchmark for Mack. He’ll want at least as much, probably a little more. It’s a lot, but players who are good for double-digit sacks every year don’t come cheap.
The Bears are projected to have over $36 million in salary cap space next season. That’s more than enough to make such a deal happen. Ryan Pace is also a savvy negotiator, so he would be able to spread the hit out over the length of the deal, providing the team with needed flexibility for future moves if they wish.
He would be more concerned about the cost of acquiring Mack. Odds are the Raiders will want multiple high draft choices. Estimates range somewhere from a 1st, 3rd and 7th to two 1st rounders to get it done. That’s expensive. Very expensive. The last time the Bears made such a deal was for Jay Cutler in 2009 and that was for a 26-year old Pro Bowl quarterback. Not a pass rusher. So why should they pay up?
#Raiders have put Khalil Mack on the trade block. #Jets, #Packers #Giants (among others) are interested.@JuMosq examines why Oakland’s in this position, where he’ll end up, and how gambling lines play into it all $$$:https://t.co/g3AB7sYHxs pic.twitter.com/gBwv5NOJMj
— Eric Galko (@OptimumScouting) August 23, 2018
Part of the reason is three-fold.
First is their obvious pressing need. Mack immediately solves their edge rush problem, regardless of what happens with Floyd. The other is the “QB contract window.” If Mitch Trubisky begins his ascent to franchise quarterback status as many hope, this means the clock starts on his next contract.
Everybody knows QB contracts are ridiculously expensive. That’s why teams tend to be aggressive in their moves while the quarterbacks are on their much cheaper rookie deals. This is a four-year window that allows the team to spend big money elsewhere before they must start allocating it for their QB.
Mitch Trubisky is in the second year of his rookie deal. That means the Bears would have three seasons being able to afford Mack were they to trade for him. A lot can happen for a team in three years.
Last but not least? Getting Mack would keep him out of Green Bay. The Packers are one of the hottest teams connected in trade rumors and for good reason. They have two first round picks in 2019. They are better equipped than any other team to make a deal. Do the Bears want to see Mack and Clay Matthews in green and gold together twice a year?
That answer should be obvious.
