Khalil Mack, Chargers
Getty
Pass-rusher Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chicago Bears were among the favorites to trade for former Las Vegas Raiders star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, but lost out on him to an offer of two first-round picks from the Baltimore Ravens. In the day since, the Bears have watched another quality edge defender ink with an AFC team.
Khalil Mack, a former Defensive Player of the Year who spent four seasons in Chicago between 2018-21, re-upped with the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, March 7 for $18 million, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. That is the same total L.A. paid Mack for his services during the 2025 campaign.
“Sources: #Chargers star edge Khalil Mack, a likely Hall of Fame pass-rusher, is expected to sign back with the Chargers,” Rapoport wrote. “He gets a 1-year deal.”
Bears Made Sense as Landing Spot for Khalil Mack After Losing Out on Maxx Crosby
Maxx Crosby, Baltimore Ravens
GettyDefensive end Maxx Crosby, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chicago was never overtly linked to Mack, who will play next season at 35 years old.
However, several prominent NFL analysts floated the possibility of discussions and an eventual reunion between the player and his former team given Chicago’s need at pass-rusher as well as its prominence in the NFC after capturing the North Division and earning a spot in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, nearly besting the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Soldier Field for one of two spots in the conference title game.
Mack made sense as a one-year bridge option to a younger player, perhaps a rookie from the 2027 class, if the Bears missed out on Crosby.
Trey Hendrickson is 31 years old and arguably the top pass-rusher in free agency, which essentially begins on Monday, March 9 when the negotiation period opens before the new league year starts on Wednesday.
However, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Thursday that the Bears have not been involved in any talks with Hendrickson, even despite the defense finishing with just 35 sacks in 2025. The pass rush from the front four was even less effective, as Chicago was in the bottom five of the NFL in both pass rush win rate and quick pressures, which are those accomplished within 2.5 seconds of the snap.
Bears Still Have Quality Pass-Rusher Options in Free Agency
Los Angeles Chargers OLB Odafe Oweh
GettyEdge-rusher Odafe Oweh of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Other potential splash options for the Bears in free agency include Jaelan Phillips of the Philadelphia Eagles and Odafe Oweh, who was Macks’ teammate with the Chargers last season.
The New Orleans Saints also decided last week to allow Cameron Jordan to hit free agency for the first time in his 15-year career. Jordan represents a similar play to what a Mack signing what have meant for Chicago, though likely at a lower salary on a one-year deal for next season.
The Bears have plenty of salary cap space to improve the pass-rush position, clearly the team’s greatest need, after losing out on Crosby and choosing to trade a fifth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for center Garrett Bradbury rather than spending historically to add Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency.
But the question now is on whom, if anyone, will Chicago spend to develop a viable pass rush heading into the 2026 season?