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Three years ago, the Bears pulled off a blockbuster trade for All-Pro edge rusher Khalil Mack, dealing two first-round draft picks, among others, to the Raiders for his services.
And years later, there are many who can’t believe the Raiders ever dealt him.
“I don’t know who would ever trade him,” said Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn.
Over the last three years, there’s been a debate about who won the Mack trade. Ultimately, the Bears got Mack, tight end Cole Kmet (2020 second-round pick) and guard Arlington Hambright (2020 seventh-round pick). The Raiders got running back Josh Jacobs (2019 first-round pick), receiver Hunter Renfrow (2019 sixth-round pick traded for 2019 fifth-rounder), cornerback Damon Arnette (2020 first-round pick) and receiver Bryan Edwards (2020 third-round pick).
“I’m the last person to think about what they got,” Mack said. “That’s not how I vibe. I know what we’ve got here and ultimately I want to win championships here and put ourselves in positions to do those things, and the thing that is going to do that is beating them this week.”
This won’t be the first time Mack has faced his former team, with the last meeting coming in 2019, where the Raiders eked out a 24-21 win in London. The Raiders were keen on keeping Mack in check, which they were able to do. Mack was held to zero sacks and just 1 QB hit. But Sunday’s game presents a new opportunity.
“Not really focusing on the past too much,” Mack said. “I don’t care what they do. I just know I will be ready for it.”
As Mack prepares to face his former team for the second time — the first time in their house — there are plenty of Raiders fans who still wish Mack was on their team.
“It’s different in a sense because you understand the fan base and what it means to me especially,” Mack said. “It’s going to be fun to get a chance to play in front of the Raider Nation.”