Could Khalil Mack be headed back to Chicago?
According to NFL insider Jonathan Jones, multiple league sources believe a reunion between Mack and the Chicago Bears makes sense ahead of the NFL trade deadline, assuming both teams continue on their current trajectories.
Mack, 35, is playing on an expiring contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, who enter Week 5 with an 0-4 record. Meanwhile, the Bears are 3-1 and could use another established pass rusher as they pursue a second consecutive NFC North title.
The financials work for the Bears, too.
Mack signed a one-year, $18 million contract that includes an $8 million base salary. According to Jones, acquiring him this coming week would require approximately $5 million to $6 million in available salary-cap space.
Chicago has roughly $9 million in available salary cap space.
Then there's the potential trade compensation.
Jones spoke with a general manager and an assistant general manager from different NFL teams, and both valued Mack at approximately a fifth-round draft pick.
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If you're a BearsTalk Plus subscriber, you already knew that. We broke down what a potential Mack trade could look like, and landed on just that: a fifth-round pick.
As is always the case in trade speculation, there's a massive catch.
The Chargers haven't expressed interest in trading Mack, or any other player, according to Jones. Their upcoming matchup against the Denver Broncos could change that.
Mack spent four seasons with the Bears and became one of the franchise's most recognizable defensive stars. A return would provide veteran pass-rushing help and reunite him with the organization where he earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018.
Nothing is imminent, and Jones cautioned against assuming specific trade destinations this early.
Still, the possibility of Mack returning to Chicago is becoming an intriguing storyline as the deadline approaches.
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