Report: Khalil Mack Traded to Chargers; Bears to Receive Draft Picks in Return

The Los Angeles Chargers already have one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL in Joey Bosa, and they reportedly added another in Khalil Mack on Thursday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Chicago Bears traded Mack to the Chargers for multiple draft picks:

From Chicago's perspective, it is in rebuilding mode after hiring Ryan Poles as a new general manager and Matt Eberflus as a new head coach this offseason. Throw in young quarterback Justin Fields coming off his rookie season, and a focus on the future isn't exactly that surprising.

The team has also lost some draft capital in recent seasons with the trade to land Mack from the Las Vegas Raiders and the trade to move up in last year's draft to select Fields, so this helps replenish the pick department.

Still, Mack is a major loss for the Bears and a major gain for the Chargers.

He is on Hall of Fame pace through eight seasons with a resume that includes the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, three All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowl nods and four straight years with double-digit sacks from 2015 through 2018.

There are some concerns since he is 31 years old and underwent season-ending foot surgery during the 2021 campaign that limited him to just seven games, but he is one of the NFL's best defensive players when healthy.

This is another significant addition for an AFC West team after the Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson.

Los Angeles' defense will have to deal with Patrick Mahomes, Wilson and Derek Carr in the AFC West alone, and teaming Mack with Bosa should help it at least contain some of those explosive offenses. 

The Chargers just missed the playoffs last season at 9-8, marking their third straight year without a postseason appearance. That could change in 2022 with a defense that features Bosa, Mack and Derwin James and an offense with Justin Herbert under center.