Latest free agency update puts the Packers in position to finally do something they tried several years ago
It was March, 2018. Brian Gutekunst had just taken over as the Green Bay Packers general manager. He tried to acquire a disgruntled Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. Not only he failed, but the star edge defender ended up on the Chicago Bears. The former first-round pick signed a six-year extension with the Bears […]
It was March, 2018. Brian Gutekunst had just taken over as the Green Bay Packers general manager. He tried to acquire a disgruntled Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. Not only he failed, but the star edge defender ended up on the Chicago Bears.
The former first-round pick signed a six-year extension with the Bears and was immediately impactful, making a First-Team All-Pro in 2018.
Seven years later, the Packers have finally the chance to make it happen. And this time around, it's much easier.
Mack is obviously at a much different phase of his career, but that doesn't mean he can't be a helpful tool for Jeff Hafley's defense. Mack will be 34 years old at the start of the season, and decided he will continue playing in 2025 despite having briefly contemplated retirement.
Khalil Mack played four seasons for the Bears and got traded to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, where he played the last three years. He had 23 sacks over the last two years, six of them in 2024.
Even though Mack played one fewer game than Rashan Gary in 2024, he had more total pressures (49 vs 47 from Gary). That means Mack, at 33, would have led Green Bay in pressures this past season.
Value and cost
In 2018, the Bears had to include two first-round picks and give Khalil Mack a monster contract. After all, he had been the defensive player of the year two seasons earlier and was in the middle of his physical prime.
Now, the situation is obviously different. He's a diminished version of that athlete, but edge rushers can still be fairly productive into their 30s.
Moreover, Mack's deal with the Chargers is expiring, which means he will be free to sign with anyone in March. If the Packers can get him for a short-term deal, with a decent value, it would make a lot of sense.
Last year, the Miami Dolphins signed Shaq Barrett to a one-year, $9 million contract. Dante Fowler signed for $3.25 million with the Washington Commanders, and Marcus Davenport signed with the Detroit Lions for $6.5 million.
Mack is a special case, because he has a much better track record. At the same time, he's older than all of these other players, affecting his market value.
The Packers have Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox, and Arron Mosby at the defensive end position. They have fired defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, an indication that they will rely more on coach improvement than personnel additions. But Khalil Mack as a role player, even at this point, would still be an enticing proposition—just like Julius Peppers was ten years ago.
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