Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano had strong ways to say about his motivated star linebacker Khalil Mack.

Article Continues Below
More Chicago Bears News
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
1 Chicago Bears player with most to prove at OTAsSteve Silverman ·
Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Bears coaching has issues with Caleb Williams demeanorZachary Draves ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
Bears’ Ben Johnson reveals ‘sign of weakness’ Caleb Williams needs to clean upZachary Weinberger ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.
Caleb Williams reveals ‘talks’ with dad about revealing book leaksLorenzo J Reyna ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Bears’ Caleb Williams breaks silence on explosive reporting about draft planMalik Brown ·
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) carries the ball and runs against Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit
How ESPN projects Packers, Bears’ chances to beat out Lions in NFC NorthBen Strauss ·

Per Pagano in the Bears' official website, via Larry Mayer:

“He's determined. We want to be the best defense in the National Football League, and he wants to be one of the best players in the National Football League. But more importantly, he just wants to win. He doesn't care about anything else. When you win, there's enough cheese to go around. All he cares about is winning.”

Mack, 29, a former Defensive Player of the Year winner with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2016, arrived in Chicago during the offseason right before the 2018 season in a blockbuster trade between franchises. The Raiders sent Mack and a second-round pick to the Bears in exchange for two future first-round selections and two other picks.

In his first season with the Bears, Mack had his typical dominant season, recording 47 combined tackles, 12.5 sacks, forcing six fumbles, and making one interception in 14 games. More importantly, Mack and the Bears went 12-4, winning the NFC North division title before bowing out of the 2018-19 postseason in the wild card round to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mack and the Bears came back in 2019, finishing 8-8, looking much more mediocre than the previous campaign. Despite Mack's second consecutive Pro Bowl selection with Chicago in his two-year tenure thus far, both sides of the ball needed to step up.

It appears Mack got the message, though, and he “just wants to win,” according to second-year defensive coordinator Pagano, formerly the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for six seasons.