Surprise, surprise! During the final episode of The NFL Top 100 Players of 2019, Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack was revealed as the third-best player in the league. In addition, this ranking makes him the highest-ranked linebacker in the NFL. All football fans knew without a doubt that Mack would be among the cream of the crop, it was just a matter of exactly where he would land on the list.
Comin’ through the #NFLTop100 like he does offensive lines... MACK ATTACK! 😱 pic.twitter.com/O7cREZenfr
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 1, 2019
When Bears general manager Ryan Pace made the bold move a week before the 2018 regular season started and traded four draft picks (which included two first-rounders) for Mack, the expectations for Chicago’s already stout defense skyrocketed. The moment Mack stepped on the field in a Bears uniform, he proved that he was worth every penny of his six-year, $141 million contract.
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At the conclusion of the season, the six-year veteran finished the year with 12.5 sacks, six forced fumbles (tied for third in the NFL), and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Mind you, he missed two games due to injury. As a result of one of the most dominating single-season performances of 2018, Mack was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl, and was named a First-Team All-Pro for the third time in his career.
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1156759163474722817
This appearance marks the fifth consecutive year that Mack has graced the top 100 list. Mack made his debut in 2015 as the 49th ranked player in the league. The following year, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year placed as the 13th-best player in the NFL, and then made a leap to fifth in 2017. Mack then slid down 11 spots to become the 16th-ranked player in 2018, only to come on strong with the highest ranking of his career at third in 2019.
Not only is this Mack’s highest ranking on this list, but his third ranking is the highest of any Chicago Bear since the inception of NFL’s Top 100.
With Mack now on the list, this gives the Bears a total of four players on the top 100. Cornerback Kyle Fuller (95th), defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (39th), and safety Eddie Jackson (30th) all made their debuts on the list this year. Having these four players to go along with a number of other highly impactful defenders, Chicago’s defense should be one of the best in 2019, and could be the reason why they make a run at the Super Bowl this season.