Eight years after the Bears traded for running back Khalil Mack, the Bears can do it again.
Via Jonathan Jones of Athletics (who is not their “insider” but is posting a Saturday “insider” column, as their former “insider” did), Mack may return to Chicago before the trade deadline.
The Chargers are 0-4 and fading fast. The Bears are 3-1 and could use a boost up front.
Mack has a base salary of $8 million in 2026, the final year of his current deal. He will have $5.77 million left in salary after this week. The Bears, as Jones notes, currently have about $9 million in cap space.
Mack, 35, still has gas in the tank. He has three sacks in four games this year, for a team that has yet to enjoy a late lead that is conducive to the proverbial pinning of the ears.
If/when the Chargers decide to start moving contracts (they’re two games into their good week), the next question would be Mack’s compensation. If he only wants to go to Chicago, that could make it difficult to maximize the return.
In 2018, the Bears gave up two first-round picks, a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to get Mack. This time it would be much less.
The trade deadline arrives on the Tuesday after Week 9. Which is only 31 days away.