Khalil Mack: Bears' Performance Last Season 'Definitely Wasn't Good Enough'

The Chicago Bears snapped a seven-year playoff drought last season by going 12-4 en route to the NFC North title, but star Khalil Mack doesn't believe his team reached its full potential in 2018-19.

"We're hungrier than we were last year," Mack said Thursday, per NBC Sports Chicago's JJ Stankevitz. "I'm speaking for myself as well. I'm way hungrier than I was last year. It definitely wasn't good enough. Just looking forward to this year and getting better."

Of course, Mack had to quickly work his way into the Chicago defense after being traded by the Oakland Raiders a week before the regular season kicked off. And still, the results were there.

Mack piled up 47 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, one interception and one touchdown in his first year in the Windy City.

That performance earned him a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod as well as his third career first-team All-Pro selection.

If he is indeed "way hungrier" than last year, that's bad news for the rest of the league.

With the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year playing at a high level, the Bears defense allowed the fewest points in the league while finishing the year ranked third in yards allowed. And while the defense delivered a solid performance, Chicago was one-and-done in the postseason with a heart-breaking 16-15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, thanks to the infamous double doink.

That loss is undoubtedly still fresh in the Bears' mind. Add that to the fact Mack has a year of experience as well as a full offseason in Chicago, and the best still may be to come.