Los Angeles Chargers rob the Chicago Bears in Khalil Mack trade
The first big move of the Ryan Poles era is officially here. After a little more than a week of speculation and hypothesizing, the Bears have decided to send Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in a blockbuster trade. Well, based off name recognition. But that's about it. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday […]
The first big move of the Ryan Poles era is officially here.
After a little more than a week of speculation and hypothesizing, the Bears have decided to send Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in a blockbuster trade. Well, based off name recognition. But that's about it.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday afternoon that the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Chargers have reached an agreement to ship Mack out to LA. Per Rapoport, the draft pick compensation is considered to be "prime" compensation.
But per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the compensation is a second-round pick in 2022 and a sixth-round pick in 2023.
I'm the furthest thing from an NFL general manager, but that is certainly not considered prime draft pick compensation.
The Bears need draft picks, too. Before the trade, they were without a first- and fourth-round draft pick and they had five total picks. Now, they have two second-round picks, a third-round pick, two fifths, and a sixth in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Bears now have two picks in the second round. Chicago had the No. 39 overall pick before the trade and is now sitting at No. 48 thanks to the Chargers.
But they still don't have a first-rounder. Nor do they have anything else worth a flip in 2022 outside of the lone second-rounder that was just given to them. The Chargers still had a third- and fourth-round pick for the taking. Why the Bears couldn't finagle at least one of those picks is beyond me.
It's pretty clear LA robbed the Bears in the Mack trade. There's no other way around it. Yes, Mack's production hasn't warranted his hefty salary, but to get just a second-round pick in a trade is awfully shortsighted and just plain wrong. This comes especially after knowing the Bears aren't in cap trouble and knowing they need more than just one extra pick in the draft.
Bad New Bears, indeed.
Granted the Bears, do get to part ways with Mack's $30 million cap charge in 2022, but they're only saving around $6 million after the move. Yes, that's a solid chunk of change, but is $6 million worth departing over a player of Mack's caliber?
It feels like an easy way out of paying Mack's $5.5 million roster bonus that was due on March 18, more than anything.
Mack had 6.0 sacks in seven games before bowing out of the 2021 season with a foot injury. He now gets to play alongside Joey Bosa. Those two will form one of the league's best pass rushing duos, as long he's healthy. Mack will cost the Chargers around $18 million in 2022 and around $23 million in 2023 and $24 million in 2024 before any kind of contract adjustment.
The Bears better make sure that No. 41 pick is a star in 2022. Or that they combine both second-rounders in order to move into the first. But even then, that's more work than what it's worth. They wouldn't have to worry about all that if they traded Mack for what he's actually worth.
What a shame.
Featured image via Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
