CBS – One of the top available pass rushers is off the board prior to the start of free agency, as just about one hour before the legal tampering period began, ESPN reported that the Los Angeles Chargers had agreed on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal with veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack.
The 34-year-old Mack recorded 39 combined tackles, six sacks and 15 QB hits to go along with nine passes defended in 16 games played for the Chargers this past season. In 2023, he recorded a career-high 17 sacks. Mack has made three straight Pro Bowls, and will be back in L.A. chasing quarterbacks for at least one more season.
I like Khalil Mack a lot, and I think he would’ve been great in the Bears locker room. So don’t let me fool you otherwise right now and say I didn’t want him back in the first place because that’s absolutely not true at all. I very much wanted Khalil Mack to return for a number of reasons:
- He’s still got it
- We’re revamping the big hog molly’s and could use his leadership
- Short-term deal with Cap Space
- Still hungry
- Bears fans need a shot of life
I don’t think I’m alone in this. My understanding is that just about every Bears fan in the universe would’ve welcomed him back with open arms. So much that the Bears released some random highlight compilation the other day and it was littered with Khalil Mack moments. So naturally everyone continued to assume there would be a reunion.
But if you’re telling me $18,000,000 is the going rate for his services, then I’m telling you No Fuckin Thanks.
And I don’t mean any disrespect at all.
It’s just a lot of money for a projected 9.5 sacks in reduced playing time when we have all these draft picks and so much in front of us.
And I’m saying this without hard salary projections on Mack. We knew it would be a short term deal but never did I think it would be close to $20M. If anything I would have said closer to $10M and that’s where you have my interest.
What can’t happen though is that Bears fans get mad about roster moves next year. That’s my biggest fear – we completely fuck up free agency going into the draft, and there’s only more to complain about in Caleb’s 2nd season. That would be an absolute fucking disaster scenario that we need to avoid at all costs. Not saying you gotta hit every decision perfectly, but there’s much less room for error when handing out free agent contracts.
CBS – Mack’s one-year, $18 million deal makes him the No. 15 highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL prior to the start of free agency. Defensive end became an important position for the Chargers entering this week after the team released Joey Bosa.
So in that spirit, I can live without Khalil Mack because it would’ve created the potential to be a double whammy. First off, obviously the money is more than I heard anyone talk about last week when his name came up. Second and more important, we’d be too emotionally attached to survive a disaster reunion. Like if he got hurt or was just totally checked out – it would be so much harder to stomach knowing everything we know.
At least that’s how I’m convincing myself right now to move on from Khalil Mack. Too much money creates too big a risk that’s simply unnecessary given our capital and resources to improve the roster.
Don’t confuse this with – we don’t want Khalil Mack or Khalil Mack sucks or anything of that matter.
I just don’t think you can make him the 15th highest paid rusher in the league and then tell me that’s a good move for the Bears. Maybe I’m stupid but just feels too dangerous.
So we move on, and hopefully that next move has NOTHING to do with Joey Bosa.
Fuck that guy.
In other news, the Bears just signed Drew Altman which is exactly what we want.
More on that at 2pm.
For now I’m interested in what you guys think about Khalil Mack’s contract and if you think the Bears would be better with/without him. I obviously have my opinion but this should be a village vote. What do you guys think?