When Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace traded for stud Khalil Mack, he brought one of the game’s best pass rushers to what was already a top-10 defense.
Mack’s impact on Chicago’s defense in just two years has been instrumental in their success. He requires extra attention for teams preparing to face the Bears, and that extra attention allows his teammates more one-on-one opportunities, which has made him worth the investment. And those in the league seem to agree.
Mack has been dubbed the best edge rusher in the NFL, according to a group of NFL executives, coaches and players via ESPN. Mack, who received a top-three vote from nearly every voter, beat out Arizona’s Chandler Jones for the top spot.
Mack’s 8.5 sacks and 19.6% pass-rush win rate don’t begin to demonstrate his capacity for disruption.
“He can get home in every way — he can go through you or around you,” said one NFL defensive coordinator.
Added a defensive assistant coach: “Your game plan doesn’t matter with him.”
Chicago’s defense last season paled in comparison to the 2018 edition, which coaches say affected Mack’s bottom line. The Bears bet on Leonard Floyd winning on the other side and he failed, resulting in more attention sent Mack’s way. New addition Robert Quinn can anchor one side to help Mack, who still posted an 86.2 Pro Football Focus grade.
“He doesn’t get past the quarterback very often because he bends so well, has speed-to-power and finishes at the level of the quarterback,” a veteran defensive coach said. “And he’s relentless.”
While Mack is coming off a down year, where he had a career-low 47 tackles and his 8.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits were his lowest since his rookie season.
But Mack’s contributions have always been so much more than just the boxscore. He saw double and triple teams on the regular, and it didn’t help that Akiem Hicks was out for most of the season and Leonard Floyd struggled to sack the quarterback.
The addition of former All-Pro pass rusher Robert Quinn and return of injured defensive tackle Akiem Hicks will certainly help Mack in 2020.
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