Which way is the stock trending for Khalil Mack entering the 2020 season with the Chicago Bears?
Khalil Mack picked a bad time to have his worst statistical season since he was a rookie. The Chicago Bears regressed as a team, but you cannot excuse Mack when you go down the list of players. He posted 8.5 sacks, which is fine for most players, but was four less than his previous run in Chicago.
Mack did not have Akiem Hicks, which led to more double teams and overall attention. Still, the team is paying Khalil Mack a lot to rip through double teams and make plays despite extra attention. That is how he earned this contract in Oakland.
The Bears are going to need Mack to produce with no questions asked in 2020. He is going to boast a salary cap hit of $26.6 million this season. He is going to have almost the same cap hit in 2021 as well. The Bears are just now getting into the meat of the Mack contract and that means they need him to start carrying the team because he is making quarterback type money.
Still, entering 2020 his stock has been on the rise.
Not only is he getting Hicks back, who he has completely dominated with. The Bears also added Robert Quinn across from Mack. Tight ends and running backs cannot cheat to Mack anymore, and if Mack does not produce, it almost surely will be because Quinn did.
Beyond that Eddie Goldman is 26 years old, and entering his prime. Bilal Nichols enters year three, and Roy Robertson-Harris playing for a contract. There is a lot of power around him that can inspire a strong year.
It will be on Mack to make the most of his 2020 season, but his stock is up for now.