Khalil Mack Bears Homecoming? Turns Out There’s Real Smoke
The Chicago Bears have a set agenda of things they must get accomplished before next season. One of them is fortifying their pass rush. Montez Sweat and Gervon Dexter are a fine pairing, but it still feels like the front four needs more juice. In a perfect world, the Bears would draft a stud in the early rounds and be happy. However, it is unwise to bank on that possibility. For this reason, many fans eagerly hope the Bears bring back Khalil Mack for a second stint with the team in 2025.
It seems counterintuitive. Mack is 34 years old and almost certain to seek out a team that gives him a chance to win a championship. However, it appears there is some smoke out there that suggests it’s at least possible. Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post mentioned it. Depending on how the market shakes out, the two sides could come back together for a mutually beneficial arrangement.
This is a weak free agent class. Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack is one of the few headliners, and he is poised to fare quite well in this market despite his advancing age. Crazy as it might sound, don’t rule out a return to Chicago for the soon-to-be 34-year old. The Bears gave up serious draft capital to land him from Oakland in 2018; they later dealt him to the Chargers for far less. But this league can move in mysterious ways. Chicago wants pass rush help, has money to spend and is under pressure to win with quarterback Caleb Williams on his rookie deal.
Khalil Mack reunion comes down to price tag.
He had a solid 2024 season with six sacks and 15 quarterback hits. If he’s looking for anything like the $19 million the Chargers paid him last year, he may have to go looking elsewhere for employment. As great as Khalil Mack has been, the Bears aren’t paying that to somebody his age when they have pressing needs across the roster. The Bears don’t seem like a team desperate to plug a void and are willing to pay anything for anybody. If Mack is willing to come in on a fair but modest deal, then it can happen. Still, with young options on the market and a pretty good defensive line class in the upcoming draft, it feels like this outcome is more wishful thinking for nostalgic fans.