Bears have one potential swing to consider to really capitalize on the 2026 season and it’ll be a feel-good story at the same time
The Chicago Bears’ window is wide open right now after improving to 3-1 and adding a legit pass rushing threat off the edge can help this team maximize what this season could become.
The Chicago Bears accomplished their goal of finishing the first month of the regular season at least 3-1 through the first four weeks and vibes are really starting to build for this team after winning back-to-back games in a six-day span.
The Bears are operating at a high level on both sides of the ball thanks to the coaching from head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen having all 53 players prepared every single week.
Sunday’s game was one that really sent a warning shot to the rest of the NFC of what this team is capable of, and there’s still clear ways for this team to improve. And one of those ways is by keeping taps on the trade market with the deadline coming up next month.
Khalil Mack stands out as an obvious trade target for the Chicago Bears
Looking at how this roster is built and how the team has looked over the first four weeks, it’s clear the Bears are still in need of a game-changer off the edge.
Montez Sweat has been fine, so has Austin Booker. The two have combined for 18 total pressures this season with four sacks, via PFF. The team’s best pass rusher has actually been Dayo Odeyingbo, who leads the team with 12 pressures and three sacks, but he’s been finding the majority of his success rushing from the inside.
While those numbers look encouraging for this defense, the Bears still don’t have the kind of guy that can really close out a tight game, and those kind of games are coming up sooner than later. Sweat, in theory, should be that kind of guy, but we still haven’t seen it.
If there’s one move general manager Ryan Poles should make before the trade deadline, it should be acquiring a game-changer off the edge. And the ideal option isn’t going after Maxx Crosby or Josh Sweat, two players that would need a sizable offer to acquire and would be expensive. The ideal option is actually Khalil Mack.
With the Chargers now 0-4 to start the season, Mack’s name is heating up on the trade market and he’s perfect for what the Bears need. Mack wouldn’t have to be an every down starter in Chicago and could be a pass rush specialist on key downs if the Bears decide to pull the trigger on this and reunite with him.
And for those questioning Mack’s age, he’s still recorded 13 pressures and three sacks this season for the Chargers. As for those questioning Mack’s contract, it’s a deal the Bears could absorb and still have $3 million remaining in available cap space.
Khalil Mack has unfinished business in Chicago
Last month, Mack appeared on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast and reflected on his time in Chicago, which included two playoff trips under head coach Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Bears had some special teams during that four year window and Mack was a big part of the success Chicago had defensively. But, they weren’t able to make any serious noise in the playoffs and that window quickly closed before it was fully open.
“Looking back on it, you realize how important those moments are” Mack explained. “You definitely shouldn’t take those moments, and those teams that you got (for granted). That defense we had was very special… Just having everybody all at once, at the same time, playing at the level we were playing at, and having those creative minds behind us — it was a special time.”
Right now, the window has never been more open for the Bears and what they’ve got going on under Johnson and Allen. Adding a caliber pass rusher like Mack to hunt the quarterback down in critical moments would be the missing piece that can turn this team into a legit Super Bowl contender this season.
The more the Chargers continue to lose, the more it’ll be enticing to move Mack and allow him to ring chase at the tail-end of his career. And there’s no better place for him to do that in Chicago. It’s time to bring him back to finish what he started.
