Former Bears' standout mulling retirement after finishing having his contract with a new team expire following early playoff exit
This past weekend, the Chicago Bears were forced to sit on the couch and watch the first round of the playoffs from home in between virtual interviews for their vacant head coaching position.During the first game of the weekend, the Bears and their fans got to see a familiar player in defensive end Khalil Mack. […]
This past weekend, the Chicago Bears were forced to sit on the couch and watch the first round of the playoffs from home in between virtual interviews for their vacant head coaching position.
During the first game of the weekend, the Bears and their fans got to see a familiar player in defensive end Khalil Mack. In the Los Angeles Chargers' loss to the Houston Texans, Mack finished the game with two sacks, three pressures, and three tackles.
The performance from Mack was business as usual from the player who recorded 6.0 sacks during his 11th career regular season. But, unfortunately, Saturday's performance might be the last we'll see from one of the game's best pass rushers.
After the loss, Mack seemed to be uncertain of his future in the NFL considering his contract with the Chargers is now set to expire once the league year officially comes to an end, and retirement is a legitimate option for the 3-time All Pro.
"Man, it's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now. I can't really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I'm going to do because I don't know if I'm going to play football moving forward, so there's some things I gotta talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss," Mack said.
Mack added that even if he were to continue playing in 2025, returning to the Chargers would be his best opportunity to find success.
"As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback. You got [safety] Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football. And Jim Harbaugh coaching?" Mack explained. "You know you always have a chance to win. Yeah, that's a no-brainer."
So, unfortunately for Bears' fans wanting to see a reunion in Chicago, one that would pair Mack with Montez Sweat, it's not going to happen. But if it is indeed the end of Mack's career, the game will be sad to see him walk away.
During his 11 seasons in the NFL, Mack was named to nine different Pro Bowls, including three with the Bears.
Chicago made a splash by trading for Mack, two years after he was named Defensive Player of the Year with the Raiders. The trade was a costly one for Chicago but felt warranted with the team desperately looking for a game-wrecking talent.
The deal immediately paid off for Chicago with the Bears boasting the top ranked defense in points per game allowed in 2018, a unit that led Chicago to an NFC North crown and the team's most recent playoff berth.
During his four seasons in Chicago, Mack recorded 36.0 sacks and 14 forced fumbles (the fifth-most in franchise history). The Bears wanted a game-wrecker and got one. However, following the 2021 season that ended with Mack missing 10 games due to a foot injury, the Bears shipped Mack to Los Angeles.
All in all, Mack turned out to be one of the most dominant pass rushers of the modern era. His 107.5 sacks ranks seventh among active players and 32nd in the NFL since sacks were first recorded in 1982. It'll be bittersweet if he calls it a career after this season.
Bears can take the first step toward righting a major wrong this week and opportunity comes at the most fitting time
They clearly made a major mistake.
