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
One mystery player in the middle, Caleb Williams, Montez Sweat around him, Chicago Bears logo in the background
1 perfect Chicago Bears move to fill out roster before 2025 training campEnzo Flojo ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) cools off during minicamp at Halas Hall.
Bears’ Caleb Williams gets advice from C.J. Stroud he needs to followDouglas Fritz ·
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during a introductory press conference at PNC Center.
Bears QB Caleb Williams makes ‘tough’ admission about Ben JohnsonJaren Kawada ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Bears’ Caleb Williams takes savage shot at Packers fans — ‘They suck’Jaren Kawada ·
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson walks the field during rookie minicamp at Halas Hall.
Bears rumors: DJ Moore, Cole Kmet on thin ice with Ben JohnsonBenedetto Vitale ·
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) looks to pass the ball during minicamp at Halas Hall.
Caleb Williams earns bold historic prediction from NFL.comZachary Draves ·

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.