The Chicago Bears trade Khalil Mack to the Chargers, deal better than first thought

Welcome to the Ryan Poles era everyone. To wipe the slate clean of Ryan Pace, the Chicago Bears just traded Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers for a couple of draft picks. I wrote how the Bears should trade one of Mack or Robert Quinn recently.

The question will be, did Ryan Poles net enough in the return for Mack? We have to see how everything plays out before knowing for sure, but the first reaction here is that it seems a little weak. Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears are getting the Chargers’ second-round pick this year and a 2023 for Mack in the deal.

What’s troubling is that we just saw Vonn Miller traded during the season from Denver to the Rams for a second and third-rounder. The deal worked for the Rams who won Super Bowl LVI but you could argue it worked well for the Broncos too.

We need to look at this as a big picture move. It’s great to hear that the Chargers are taking on all of Khalil Mack’s contract. However, the Chicago Bears will still have to eat $24 million in dead cap this season. The dead cap number hurts but the fact the Chargers are taking on the rest of the contract is a positive and likely why the Bears only netted a future sixth-rounder as opposed to a third-round pick like in the Miller trade.

The Chicago Bears trade of Khalil Mack is better than first thought

Look, on the surface it doesn’t appear like the Chicago Bears saw a big enough return for Khalil Mack, but with the Chargers taking on the full contract, this is a great move by Ryan Poles. This team isn’t competing in 2022. Moving on from Mack gives the team $148 million in cap space in 2023.

That amount clearly doesn’t account for any 2022 signings, but with around $30 million to use now and guys like Roquan Smith needing to be extended next year, Ryan Poles will have plenty to work with over the next two years.

Now, the team can look to build the offensive line and the offense as a whole. The Chicago Bears will have pick No. 39 and now pick No. 48 in the 2022 NFL Draft. Those picks can be traded, used on a wide receiver in this deep class or add more big bodies up front. Cornerback could be another possibility. The opportunities are now more plenty than they were just a few hours ago.

This Free Agent Wide Receiver is the best fit for Chicago Bears

This Free Agent Wide Receiver is the best fit for Chicago Bears. The Chicago Bears are going to sign a wide receiver and probably two in free agency.

Remember, this is a big picture deal. It’s a little too early to know if it’s a great deal, but it sure appears to be the correct business and football operations decision. What are your thoughts? Drop us a comment.