This NFL offseason is only a few weeks old, but it is already shaping up to be one of the craziest in league history. The dominos all started once news that Aaron Rodgers had decided to return to Green Bay. That prompted the Denver Broncos to trade for Russell Wilson. After that trade, the AFC West was already looking like the most dominant division in years. But the Los Angeles Chargers had an answer. According to reports, Los Angeles is trading with the Chicago Bears for former All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack.
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The Chargers are reportedly sending back a second-round pick in this year's draft and a sixth-round pick in next year's. That's a far cry from what Chicago paid to acquire Mack's services previously. Chicago sent two first round picks to the Oakland Raiders prior to the 2018 season for Mack.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers will be taking on the entirety of Mack's contract. That's $63.9 million over the next three years. However, Chicago is still responsible for the dead money, hitting the Bears for $24 million themselves.
Knowing the terms of the deal, let's grade the Los Angeles Chargers trade with the Chicago Bears for Khalil Mack.
Grading the Chargers-Bears Khalil Mack Trade
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: B+
I am giving the Chargers a B+ for this trade. Some people might think I am a tough teacher, or a harsh grader. But you need to really crush it in my book to earn an A as trades go. Mack is a baller, there is no doubt. But this is not a slam dunk and does come with some questions.
First, let's examine the positives. They are mostly obvious, right?
The Chargers are now pairing Mack with Joey Bosa on the defensive line. That combination would instill fear in just about any opposing quarterback. Knowing that the AFC West has Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr in it, having a strong pass rush is vital.
Mack is a former Defensive Player of the Year (2016), a three-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. In other words, he already has a Hall of Fame resume. Bosa is still relatively young, but looks every bit as good as Mack has been. This tandem sounds scary.
But it's not all gravy. As I mentioned above, the Chargers are covering his entire remaining salary. That is going to make it more difficult to replace Linval Joseph at defensive tackle. Plus, the defense is in need of some cornerback help. Chris Harris is set to become a free agent. Los Angeles will still have some cap room, but this certainly eats a chunk of it.
But the biggest reason this trade is not a home run for the Chargers is health. Los Angeles' defense seems to deal with health problems year after year.
Well, Mack is coming off foot surgery in November. He only appeared in seven games last season. But it wasn't just that he missed more than half the season. In the games he played, he was playing a career-low in snaps. In 2021, Mack played on 69 percent of the defensive snaps. That is by far the lowest of his career. It is likely that we have already seen him at his best.
Nevertheless, we all just witnessed what an elite duo can do in the Super Bowl. So, even Mack at 80 percent of what he once was would still make this a good trade.
CHICAGO BEARS: C+
The Bears side of this trade is a little more cut and dry. They essentially are aware that they are in rebuilding mode. Mack just turned 31 years old. He is coming off foot surgery that cost him 10 games last season. It made sense to move on.
The good news is that they got the Chargers to take on his remaining salary of $63 million. However, the $24 million in dead money still falls with Chicago, according to PFF's Ari Meirov.
But knowing that only four years ago, the Bears sent two first-round picks to the Raiders has got to sting a little. A second-round pick is no joke. This isn't the NBA. That can turn into an immediate starter. But a sixth round pick is all but a throwaway.
It's a clear sign Chicago is simply moving forward with a rebuild from the ground up. But one has to think that Chicago could have landed more picks or draft capital than this.