Since the Most Valuable Player award was created in 1975, only one Chicago Bears alum has managed to win it. That was Walter Payton back in 1977 when he posted over 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns while carrying the team to its first playoff berth in 14 years. Now it seems there are some out there who feel Khalil Mack has at least a reasonable chance to be the second.
That sounds unusual. After all, only one defensive player in history has claimed the honor. That was Lawrence Taylor back in 1986. Since then it’s pretty much been a string of quarterbacks with the occasional running back mixed in. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop Bill Barnwell of ESPN from stating the superstar pass rusher has at least an outside chance to pull it off.
It would take a truly special season. Probably one that includes breaking the single-season sack record of 22.5. Not impossible, but difficult. It seems though that Barnwell isn’t the only one who buys into the “Mack for MVP” idea.
Khalil Mack dominated in less than ideal conditions last year
Dan Hanzus of NFL.com became the second notable expert to list Mack as his MVP pick from Chicago. His belief is strengthened by the fact that the outside linebacker terrorized offenses in 2018 despite having come into the organization without the benefit of any preparation whatsoever.
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“Here’s the scary thing about Khalil Mack: The All-Pro linebacker was the biggest difference-maker on a 12-4 Bears team a year ago — and he wasn’t even playing at his ceiling. A sprained ankle suffered in Week 6 caused him to sit out two games and limited him in two more. Despite that, Mack led the team with 12.5 sacks and chipped in 10 tackles for loss, second-most on the squad.
Mack told the Chicago Sun-Times last week that he aspires to produce at the level of all-time greats like Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas. Smack in his prime entering his age-28 season, we might be about to see peak Mack. Scary stuff.”
If Mack could post the highest sack total a Bears defender has had since 1993 under those conditions, there’s no telling what he might do this year. Not only does he have the benefit of a full offseason, but he’s also under the guidance of Chuck Pagano. This is the same man who got 19.5 sacks out of a 32-year old Robert Mathis in 2013.
Mack may be opposed by trends and accepted realities, but he’s defied odds for most of his football career. He wants to be the best that ever did it. This would be a huge statement.
