The Chicago Bears know they need to address the edge rusher position this offseason and find a player who can help out Montez Sweat, who led the team with 10 sacks in 2025.
One player that fans were hoping to land was former Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack, who was set to be a free agent, but that will no longer be the case, unfortunately. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Mack is going to return to the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year deal. Fellow ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler adds that it is a fully guaranteed $18 million contract.
Edge rusher Khalil Mack is receiving $18 million fully guaranteed to return to the Chargers on a one-year deal, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 8, 2026
Mack has spent the last four years with the Chargers, racking up 195 tackles, 60 quarterback hits, 45 tackles for loss, 36.5 sacks, 21 pass deflections, 13 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one safety in 62 games. He has made three Pro Bowls in those four seasons in Los Angeles.
Khalil Mack is no longer an option for the Bears
It was always a long shot for Mack to come back, as the Chargers had prioritized him as one of their top players to sign in the offseason. Bears fans remember Mack fondly, as he was a Pro Bowler in three of his four years there until he was traded to Los Angeles. 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 touchdown in 53 games with the Bears.
The options at edge rusher are starting to dwindle for the Bears, as they might not have much choice if they want to get an elite player to sign there. There's always either Trey Hendrickson or Jaelan Phillips to go after, but at this point, some might even wonder how active the Bears truly will be in free agency.
Chicago has to focus a bit more on getting help in the secondary with four starters departing as free agents. The Bears could more than likely just be more aggressive there and look elsewhere for an edge rusher.
There is a very real chance the Bears don't even get an edge rusher in free agency and use the draft to pick on. Bears general manager Ryan Poles would prefer to spend less money and sign free agents worth $5-8 million, then build the roster that way.
Read more: Garrett Bradbury's arrival shouldn't stop Bears from making imperative move
It's still early, but a lot can change over the next few days for the Bears. The fan base might have to brace for a quieter offseason than expected unless Poles has something up his sleeve that no one knows about.