Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is currently on track to have the most dominant season of his career in the NFL, which has caught the attention of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
Mack is on pace to record 17 sacks and 20 quarterback hits this season. If Mack finishes with 17 sacks this year, it would not only be a new career-high for him in a single campaign, but it would also rank as the second-most sacks in a season in Bears team history behind Richard Dent's 17.5 mark in 1984.
Brady well recognizes Mack's prowess as a pass rusher, especially as he has been sacked by him a total of four times.
In speaking ahead of the Buccaneers' Week 7 home clash with the Bears, Brady took some time to laud Mack as one of the top defensive talents today.
“He's one of the dominant players in the game,” Brady said. “He's got speed, power, quickness. He's got a great motor, very tough. I think the impressive thing is the strip-sacks and how he gets the ball off quarterbacks. It's one thing to sack the guy, it's another to knock the ball off the quarterback. You obviously can't hold the ball too long when those guys are rushing the passer.
“We've had a few guys we played this year that were dominant, like Aaron Donald and last week Fletcher Cox, but Khalil is second to none.”
It is not a guarantee that Brady will see Mack on the other side of the field this Sunday. The Bears star has been ruled as questionable for the upcoming matchup with the Buccaneers due to a foot injury. He missed Chicago's scheduled practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday due to the injury. He did return to practice on Friday, although he was limited throughout the session.
Regardless of whether Mack will be available in Week 7, the Bears front seven will have a hefty task ahead in attempting to disrupt Brady's rhythm in the pocket throughout the game.
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