9. Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
Speaking of edge defenders coming off down years, here’s what Khalil Mack had to say at the end of the 2019 season about a year in which he totaled 8.5 sacks and 70 total pressures — not horrible numbers, but when you have Mack’s talent, more is expected.
“I’m going to start with myself, pick up the film like I do after every season and work on the things I need to work on and get ready for the next one,” Mack said, per the Chicago Tribune. “My therapy is being a part of the grind. My grind is not going to stop this year. I can’t take too many breaks. I’m looking forward to it in that sense.”
Injuries along the Bears’ defensive line, especially to superior defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, were part of the problem. But even when single-teamed in 2019, Mack lacked his usual ability to take apart anybody who blocked him, and he seemed stalemated more often than expected in those instances. A mid-season ankle injury certainly affected his burst, but it didn’t slow his effort to get to the quarterback.
Khalil Mack wasn't quite as dominant in 2019 as he had been in previous years (a very high bar, to be sure). Multiple reasons for that — but effort was not one of them. Just ask Tyron Smith and Dak Prescott. pic.twitter.com/VMjl0SRUcg
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 15, 2020
Two down years in a row from Khalil Mack? Highly unlikely. Expect a motivated force in 2020.