Before the start of the 2018 season, the Chicago Bears traded a handful of draft picks — two first-round picks in 2019 and 2020, a third-round pick in 2020, and a sixth-round pick in 2019 — to the Oakland Raiders for arguably the best defensive player in the league in Khalil Mack.
Right after trading for Mack, the Bears made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history offering him a six-year, $141 million dollar extension.
In two seasons with the Bears, his impact has been undeniable. Mack has played in 30 games with 21.0 sacks and 77 solo tackles. But his impact extends beyond just the numbers.
I was just enjoying my Monday, scrolling threw Twitter, when I saw a couple of guys from Pro Football Focus put the move on blast.
Bears are wishing they didn't trade for a star defensive end right now pic.twitter.com/pChCW1BXNw
— PFF (@PFF) March 23, 2020
Now, for the second year in a row, the Bears won’t have a first-round pick due to the Mack trade. Which is okay, because they traded for arguably the best defensive player in the league. And those type of players don’t come around often.
Although if the Bears did have a first-round pick, Ryan Pace would love to add a quarterback like Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa. But I’m sure Pace would rather have a defensive player like Mack on his team.
Mack’s impact on defense forces opposing coaches to game-plan against him each and every week, and you just can’t say that about most players in the NFL.
So, therefore, PFF can stop talking trash about the Bears. Because, no, the Bears shouldn’t regret trading for a talent like Mack.
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