Not long after the off-season began for the Chicago Bears, rumors began circulating about a potential reunion with former star pass rusher Khalil Mack. It felt like nothing more than a social media creation. Mack is a free agent this month but is 34 years old and doesn’t fit the timeline of a team trying to finally get over the hump into the playoffs. Mack almost certainly would want to join a team that gives him an opportunity to pursue a ring. While a reunion would be fun, it didn’t seem to mesh with traditional NFL thinking.
Well, as history continues to prove, this league can often throw unexpected curveballs. It appears the Mack rumors weren’t solely based on speculation. According to Chris Emma of 670 The Score, there is genuine interest from the veteran pass rusher to return to Chicago.
Sources believe Mack has interest in a return to Chicago, where he played from 2018-’21. Mack isn’t interested in the spotlight, but the vision would be for him to be a complementary piece of the defense, not the star.
The Bears made Mack the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history after trading for him in 2018. Poles then traded him to the Chargers in March 2022 in a move that signaled the start of the Bears’ rebuild.
This seems to reflect something about Mack that people didn’t expect. While winning a championship is important to him, he doesn’t seem dead set on going wherever just to get it done. He’d much rather be in a place where he’s wanted and wouldn’t have the spotlight on him.
Khalil Mack seems to have fond memories of Chicago.
After all, his best season from a team perspective came in 2018 when the Bears went 12-4 and won the NFC North. That was likely the closest he ever came to being a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Sadly, it ended in heartbreak with the Double Doink, but the memories of that season seem to linger. It isn’t about money anymore. He’s made over $100 million in his career. Khalil Mack seems focused on playing as much football as he can before his body gives out. Besides, the Bears aren’t a terrible team, at least on paper. They have a promising young quarterback and a hotshot offensive coach. If he can help give the defense some added teeth, this reunion could lead to big things in 2025.
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This will be interesting to see. They are clearly in need of impact rushers opposite Sweat. There are draft possibilities, free agents and trades
Also Sam…Dennis Allen likes bigger DEs. They are building for the future. Mack is not the size Allen prefers nor is he the future. Would rather have Chase Young. He is not as dominant as Mack was but still has a few prime years left. Or Sweat from Philly. Both are at least full-time starting ends. And they should be around the same $$. Neither are in the Garrett range price wise.
Rocketrider… yes the Chargers run a 3-4, but they run a flat 3-4 at least 50% of the time. So Mack is playing with his hand on the ground quite often, basically playing as a DE. He did that here a lot too in Vics 3-4. He’s actually better with his get off when his hands in the turf.
Only if the price is right. Don’t do anything crazy.
Exactly correct Scooby. Sensible and humorous….
Mack won’t be returning…..$$$….wait and see….
Just the fact that he’s a 3-4 outside linebacker….
Bears run a 4-3….lol….