This offseason, the Chicago Bears are going to have a whole lot of big decisions to make. Whether it's regarding quarterback Justin Fields, head coach Matt Eberflus, other position coaches and assistants or their own free agents, Chicago has a lot to do.
Another franchise that will have much work to do is the Los Angeles Chargers, although their work is going to be less fun.
The Chargers are $42 million over the cap for this coming season, thus they will have to cut ties with some key veterans.
One of those veterans they could part with? Oh, just former Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack.
The Chargers are $42m over the cap in 2024. Here are some notable players with insanely high cap hits:
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) December 15, 2023
Khalil Mack - $38m
Joey Bosa - $36m
Keenan Allen - $34m
Mike Williams - $32m
Expect at least two of these players to get cut in the offseason.
The Chicago Bears' pass rush, and team as a whole, could look way different if they pursued Khalil Mack this offseason
If the Chargers cut Mack, they would save $23 million. His current cap number is over $38 million for the coming season, which I simply don't see the Chargers paying.
Should Mack get cut, the Bears could go out and sign a guy who clearly has plenty left in the tank. Pairing him with Montez Sweat would give Chicago the makings of a legitimately scary pass rush.
As for the rest of the offseason? Let's say the Bears keep Fields. What could they end up with, when it's all said and done?
A quick, simplified mock of potential Bears' 2024 offseason highlights:
Sign EDGE Khalil Mack
Sign S Antoine Winfield Jr.
Draft WR Marvin Harrison Jr. at no. 1
Draft DL Jer'Zhan Newton at no. 10
With just those four moves, the Bears have drastically improved their roster and immediately become NFC North contenders. So long as Justin Fields takes another step, this team could even be NFC contenders, once it's all said and done.
We're not even talking about other potential signings or draft picks. The Bears have the money to make both of those signings happen. They'll once again have a top-5 cap space number once the new league year begins. Not to mention, those two first rounders are valuable assets.
Could Mack return this offseason? He's currently in the midst of a career-high season in sacks with 16.0, entering Week 18.