Khalil Mack’s situation is becoming harder to ignore as the Chargers face a decision with the Bears still lurking as a trade candidate
The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-7 on Sunday and it’s gotten to the point where this team is holding pass rusher Khalil Mack hostage. It’s time to let him go and the Chicago Bears remain the top team to watch.
The Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-7 on Sunday with the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams and the team now faces a tough decision over the next few days. It’s clear this team is stuck in the mud and will soon be out of playoff contention. It’s time to plan for 2027.
Part of that planning would be to acquire more draft picks in the 2027 NFL Draft and the team’s top trade target remains veteran defensive end Khalil Mack. Mack is on a one-year deal with the Chargers and the team should really consider flipping him now to allow him to compete for a championship elsewhere.
The top team to watch is the Chicago Bears. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that the Bears are still inquiring about EDGE options on the market, even after the team traded a haul for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Mack is the logical target for the Bears. It’s a low-cost move that would give the Bears a situational pass rusher off the edge they need and give Mack on more run in Chicago.
Los Angeles Chargers seem to be preparing to trade Khalil Mack, and now is the time
On Sunday against the Rams, Mack played a season-low 35 defensive snaps. He wasn’t fully kept on the bench to really start trade speculation, but that limited usage certainly raises eyebrows. And the play of rookie Akeem Mesidor opposite Tuli Tuipulotu gives the Chargers two young pass rushers to build around.
It’s time to give Mack his chance to shine elsewhere and it certainly seems like things will be heading that direction sooner than later.
“You’ve got to be where your feet are man, ultimately.” Mack said on Sunday. “That can be the most difficult thing when you’re dealing with a lot of outside noise and stuff. Just trying to be where your feet are at all time. That’s kind of been my thing in years past.”
I would expect talks heat up soon, potentially even this week. However, the Chargers were previously intent on not moving Mack. That mindset might have changed after this latest loss and teams will be calling to see if that’s the case. Chicago, again, is the top team to watch and a team Mack would be really interested in going back to.
Trading for Khalil Mack is a move the Chicago Bears should make
Speaking with reporters last week, Bears general manager Ryan Poles noted that the team will have to be extra conservative with it draft picks after trading two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick for Simmons and a fifth-round pick. However, that doesn’t rule out Chicago from making another move to capitalize on this Super Bowl window if the value makes sense.
“We’ve got to be very smart on how we move forward. When you make a deal like that, I don’t think we’re just going to start – that’s kind of why I said we’re not going to just throw picks all over the place right now,” Poles explained. “We want to be smart about it. Obviously, we’re going to listen and see if something makes sense or not, but I’d like to think that whole process will slow down just a little bit.”
The value with Mack is something the Bears could, and should, entertain if the Chargers are willing to hear out an offer. The A to Z Sports Trade Simulator has Mack’s value listed as similar value of a fifth-round pick. Chicago currently has two of those in 2028 after acquiring Tennessee’s pick, and one in 2027 that Chicago acquired from Atlanta.
Even after the Simmons deal, this isn’t an opportunity the Bears should shy away from. The value of adding a player like Mack off the edge is more valuable than a Day 3 draft pick. Again though, this all depends on the Chargers’ current mindset and if it’s changed.
