Khalil Mack: It Looks Like He's Going to the Chicago Bears
By Jason Lisk
Khalil Mack is about to become a member of the Chicago Bears, and the final hurdle that needs to be cleared is finalizing a contract extension and giving Mack the contract that he wants.
Sources to ESPN: Raiders and Bears have an agreement in place to trade Khalil Mack to Chicago. Still working through it, but Raiders now planning to send Mack to Chicago.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2018
The #Bears have permission to negotiate a deal with star Khalil Mack, and that has been ongoing since last night. They are the one team willing to go where the #Raiders needed them to go. This is happening.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2018
Before the end of the day, the #Bears are expected to negotiate a long-term deal with Khalil Mack that should eclipse the deal for Aaron Donald. Either way, Chicago just made a huge move.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2018
We wait to see what compensation the Bears are giving up to the Oakland Raiders to win the right to sign Mack to the big deal he wants. The rumors flying yesterday was that the asking price is two first-round picks. But if they are at the point of negotiating with Mack you know that they met that price, and just as importantly, are roughly willing to meet Mack’s contract wishes and now it’s a matter of solidifying the details.
I’ll have more analysis on Mack’s worth relative to first round picks, and the cap space difference. But for now, I’ll say that Chicago is a team that is situated to take Mack on as a talented and expensive player. If they believe in Trubisky, they have a cost-controlled QB for three more years and the cap space, and the odds of Mack being great versus getting similar pass rushing production from first round picks is massive (Pass rushers are actually the riskiest picks early in the draft and have a high bust rate).