There are many reasons that Khalil Mack is a superstar. First and foremost? He’s extraordinarily gifted. Not only is he big with a substantial amount of power in his game, but he’s also a freak athlete with way more quickness and speed than people realize. This is why he’s so often able to make offensive tackles look silly.
However, the Chicago Bears coaches have since found out that barely scratches the surface of what makes him great. Sure, being physically able to some extent is important. To be a star though? That requires far more from the mental side of things. Mack is definitely intelligent. The incredible speed at which he picked up the Bears defensive scheme reflects that.
What makes him “special” though is something else. Outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley talked out it during a Q&A with Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
“Yeah. For me, it’s that phrase “calm is contagious.” That fits him perfectly. The guy is so steady no matter what the situation is. Practice. Game. Just around the building. He just has a great way about him. Extremely composed. And that helps everybody immensely. Because everybody feels like something good is going to happen when they’re around him.”
What Staley describes of Khalil Mack is a trait champions share
This isn’t some sort of fluff statement either. Mack has reflected such a trait in his play. To date, he has 45.5 sacks in his career. A total of 16.5 of them have come in the 4th quarter, often when the game was close and his team needed a big play. He’s one of those types who just seems to get stronger as the stakes get higher.
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As to this calm he seems to exude? Think back through history about the great players who played on championship teams. There was often a common character trait they shared. An ability to maintain their composure in high-pressure situations. Contrary to popular myth, those types of players are rare. The kind who can look like they’re playing an exhibition game during a playoff game.
Can anybody remember the last Bears player who gave off that sort of air? That would have to be Brian Urlacher. Somebody both talented and able to keep his focus in the toughest conditions. The franchise lost something when he retired. Is it any coincidence the defense began to resemble its old self when Mack arrived?
Having this kind of player on the roster is a blessing and a great sign for their championship prospects.
