The Chicago Bears wanted Khalil Mack back, but the deal never happened because the Los Angeles Chargers refused to sell. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport confirmed on Thursday that the veteran pass rusher was never close to a trade to his old team. The Bears spent their best draft picks on Jeffery Simmons instead, leaving them with no ammo to offer Los Angeles for a reunion.
Chargers Wanted Mack to Stay
Rapoport admitted he watched the possibility of a Mack return for weeks and thought Chicago was the likely destination. “Here’s one I was watching not just today, but over the last couple of weeks is Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears,” Rapoport said, according to Heavy.com. Despite the interest, the Chargers had a firm plan to keep their star player. “The Chargers never wanted to deal Khalil Mack,” Rapoport explained. “They never got close to dealing Khalil Mack.”
Los Angeles valued Mack as a mentor for their young pass rushers and did not want to lose that leadership. Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters he wanted Mack to remain in the locker room. Harbaugh stated, “I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be here. He’s one of the pillars of our team.” The Chargers knew they could not let him go for just any draft compensation.
Bears Spent Their Capital Already
Chicago had already used up its draft capital before the deadline arrived. The team gave up their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks plus a 2027 fourth-round pick to land Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. Rapoport noted that once the Simmons deal was done, the Bears could not make another big move. “And then for the Chicago Bears, once they did the Jeffery Simmons deal, that was kind of it,” Rapoport said.
The pass rush has improved since Simmons arrived, which may have made the Mack trade less urgent anyway. Over the past two contests, the Bears have recorded 28 pressures and 7.0 sacks since Simmons joined. Ben Johnson said on ESPN 1000 that the defense is playing really well and Dennis Allen deserves credit for the game plans. Johnson added, “I think we can get pressure whether we send blitzes or whether we just send four, at this point.”
Mack has recorded only three sacks in his first four games this season and has not managed any since. The Bears secured a 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, November 8, at Soldier Field.
