Yes, the chatter has been loud about the Chicago Bears potentially trading for edge rusher Khalil Mack to reunite the defense, but that's talk. It might be more than that.
The Bears' defensive line is off to a solid start, posting 10 sacks in four games. Those are impressive numbers for a unit that had a lot of questions entering the 2026 season.
That said, adding another edge rusher who can consistently get to the quarterback could propel the Bears into Super Bowl contention. A potential Mack trade to the Bears is as real as ever.
Bears and Chargers could be talking about a Khalil Mack trade
The Athletic's Jonathan Jones wrote an article covering multiple rumors and storylines in the NFL. Jones said the Bears and Chargers could strike a deal involving Mack.
"Again, it is still early, and I always caution against matching any player to any particular team a month before the deadline. But Khalil Mack to Chicago is something multiple league sources told me makes the most sense if both teams continue on their respective trajectories.
I recall a tweet from the Bears during free agency in 2025, featuring Mack prominently in regard to leaving one’s legacy in Chicago."
Mack is on an 0-4 Chargers team and on an expiring contract. He signed a one-year, $18 million deal that includes $8 million in base salary. Trading him this upcoming week would mean a team would need roughly $5 million to $6 million in cap space to take him on.
The Bears have roughly $9 million in cap space and a clear need to bolster the pass rush. Mack spent four seasons in Chicago. At 35 years old, he is still in search of his first playoff victory.
One GM and one assistant GM on different teams slotted Mack’s value as worthy of a fifth-round pick. The Bears have one of those, but the Chargers have shown no interest in dealing any player just yet."
Mack was such a key part of the Bears from 2018 through 2021. He made three Pro Bowls and was selected to the All-Pro team twice. In 53 games, he racked up 163 tackles, 52 quarterback hits, 36 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 14 forced fumbles, 11 pass deflections, six fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and one pick-six.
This season, the Chargers have gotten great production from 35-year-old Mack. In four games, he has posted 14 tackles, five quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Pro Football Focus ranks Mack 79.6 overall, ranking him 17th among 112 eligible edge rushers. He also has a pass-rush grade of 71.1 (ranked 25th) and a run-defense grade of 74.6 (ranked 16th).
Could Khalil Mack really make an impact on the Bears in 2026?
The Bears have surprisingly gotten really good production from their top three edge rushers: Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Austin Booker. Odeyigbo surprisingly leads the team in sacks with three, while Sweat and Booker each have two.
Chicago's interior defensive line has also seen plenty of good players since the team traded Gervon Dexter to the Atlanta Falcons. While no one really stands out, the unit as a whole does; no one has been making plays or stopping the run.
Mack has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers, and he could help with that aspect of the defensive line. While Chicago ranks 13th in run defense, allowing 102.5 yards per game, Mack has shown his run-stopping ability and could move them into the top 10 if he arrived.
Read more: 5 bold predictions as Bears look to keep rolling against hated Packers
If the Bears want to take the next step and really contend for a Super Bowl, this trade will get them there. General manager Ryan Poles has been more bullish over the last two years about making bold trades, but he needs to consider this one to give the Bears what they need to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
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