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Multiple Execs Are Buying the Bears Khalil Mack Trade Idea
Chicago Bears Khalil Mack trade cries won’t go away. If anything they’ve only grown louder. At least on social media. Even current Bears players have enjoyed jokes at expense of the rumors. Fun aside, people just aren’t sure what’s going to happen with the 27-year old former Defensive Player of the Year. Some think the Oakland Raiders will bide their time until he ends his holdout. Others think he’ll be dealt at some point.
There are so many wild cards involved that it’s difficult to predict. The biggest of all is Jon Gruden. Oakland threw everything into chaos when they not only hired him as the new head coach but also gave him GM powers as well. Suddenly a man who hadn’t been on a team in a decade and never dealt with modern players was in charge.
Never mind the fact he had no connection to Mack. This has been one of the biggest reasons people think a trade is possible. Gruden is not the type to fear such a bold move, having already made a number of trades that shocked some people the past few months. He could easily decide to cut his losses and send Mack elsewhere. In his eyes, it would remove a distraction, net quality assets in return, and save a ton of money.
The question becomes do the Bears have a shot if he’s available?
Bears Khalil Mack trade idea sounds promising to top NFL minds
Mike Sando of ESPN dug deeper into the Mack trade possibility. The general belief among the outside NFL community is the Raiders are willing to listen to offers, but won’t give Mack up for cheap. It’s going to cost multiple high draft choices or a high draft choice and a good player in return. When the idea of the Bears making a play for him was offered, it wasn’t shot down.
“ONE EXEC SAID HE COULD ENVISION THE BEARS CONSIDERING A MOVE FOR MACK. ANOTHER MENTIONED CHICAGO AS THE TYPE OF TEAM THAT COULD CONSIDER IT, BASED ON NEED AND FLEXIBILITY. THE BEARS ARE BANKING ON LEONARD FLOYD TO STAY HEALTHY AND PRODUCE AS THEIR TOP PASS-RUSHER, BUT THEY NEED HELP. THEY ALSO DO NOT HAVE A HIGHLY PAID QUARTERBACK.”
Two execs both saying it’s a strong possibility is something to think about, but it didn’t end there. Sando also spoke to a GM from another team about the Mack situation. Without being prompted, the man actually referenced Chicago as well as the Jets as the two primary teams that are most likely to go after him, if anyone does.
“IF I WAS A BETTING MAN, I’D BET ON MACK PLAYING OUT THE YEAR WITH OAKLAND. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE UP TWO ONES, AND THEN AARON DONALD IS GOING TO COME IN AT A REALLY HIGH NUMBER, AND THEN MACK IS GOING TO WANT MORE THAN THAT, IT’S A LOT. THE JETS AND CHICAGO ARE TWO TEAMS THAT COULD DO IT, IN MY MIND. BUT IT’S A LOT.”
This comes down to Ryan Pace. So far in his career, the Bears GM has never made a significant trade to acquire a veteran player from another. All of his notable moves have taken place during the NFL draft. So this would be a substantial departure from his normal mode of operation. Also don’t forget he already gave up a second rounder in 2019 to acquire Anthony Miller.
Giving up two first rounders or a first and a future second or third will be a huge price to pay. Never mind the large contract he’d have to hand over as well. It would come down to whether Pace thinks that move would make his team an instant contender. A question only he can answer.
