It’s a question that gets asked often. Is Khalil Mack the best player in the NFL?
The Chicago Bears have been playing much better than they have over the past few seasons. This is due to a combination of different things. For one, a new head coach and coaching staff help. A great attitude, something that wasn’t seen under Marc Trestman or John Fox, is another thing that can be considered a reason why they are playing better.
But the infusion of superior talent into the Bears’ lineup is the biggest reason why they are doing what they are doing. Perhaps the biggest addition to the team came last year when the Bears traded for Khalil Mack. Mack was a proven talent and someone that could elevate the Bears’ defense to a whole new level.
And his impact has been profound.
From the first game that he played against the Bears, against the Green Bay Packers, to their most recent game, against the Minnesota Vikings, Mack has delivered.
His statistics, in the games that he has played with the Bears, are astounding.
Mack has generated 17 sacks and totaled 22 quarterback hits. He has forced ten fumbles, recovered two of those fumbles and has one interception. This in 18 games played.
You may agree that those numbers are more than outstanding for such a short stint with the Bears. But there is much more to Mack than numbers. He can change games with well-timed strip-sacks and pressures. There are times when he’s blocked by two or three offensive linemen or two linemen and a running back allowing someone else to break free and make a play on the quarterback.
He cannot be blocked one on one.
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Even just saying the name “Khalil Mack” is enough to strike fear in some players and you can bet that those players he lines up against are nervous knowing that they are playing against him.
He’s a beast!
Just having Mack on the team has elevated the play of everyone in all three phases of the game. The defense is light years better than it had been under John Fox. The turnaround was short but it’s been sweet and Mack has helped make this defense one of the best in the league.
You cannot deny the impact that Mack has had on the Bears and what he means to his team. There isn’t any other team out there that relies so much on a defender (you could argue that the Los Angeles Rams rely on Aaron Donald a lot) like the Bears do Mack. No one has the kind of impact that Mack has on defense. He can singlehandedly change games and is a true difference-maker.
Watch any game that Mack has played in and you will see what I mean. He’s made a huge impact on this defense and is a big reason why they are ranked where they are at.
Tell me another player that has that kind of impact on a team, if you can.
Knowing what we know and all that I have outlined above, it’s easy to see why Mack is the best defensive player in the NFL. He makes a difference and backs up his being called the best player in the NFL.
Now, if he can just help deliver a Super Bowl championship to the city of Chicago Mack just might be one of the greatest players in the Bears long history.
Perhaps he already is.