In March 2022, the Chicago Bears traded All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was limited to seven games in 2021 because of a foot injury that required surgery. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley had familiarity, as he was Mack’s linebackers coach with the Bears in 2018.
Mack was 31 years old at the time of the trade and had three years and $63.9 million remaining on his contract. The Chargers were coming off a 9–8 season and agreed to take on the entire salary.
Let’s take a look at how the trade worked out for both sides.
Khalil Mack Trade Details
Chargers received:
- LB Khalil Mack
Bears received:
- 2022 second-round pick (Jaquan Brisker)
- 2023 sixth-round pick (Traded back to Chargers for two 2022 seventh-round picks)
Players Involved in Mack Trade
Mack, who was drafted fifth overall in 2014, turned into a star for the Raiders. After finishing third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, Mack became the first player to be named AP first-team All-Pro at two different positions when he had 15 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss.
After his fourth year, the Raiders and Mack failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. The Bears stepped in and traded for Mack right before the 2018 season. The Raiders received four draft picks, including two first-round picks, for Mack. One of the first-round picks turned into Josh Jacobs for the Raiders. Chicago also received multiple draft picks, including a second-round pick that was used on starting tight end Cole Kmet.
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The Bears signed Mack to a six-year, $141 million contract extension within hours of the trade. He had 36 sacks and made three Pro Bowls in four seasons with Chicago. The Bears went 34-31 and made the playoffs one time during Mack’s time with the team.
The Chargers gave up two draft picks for Mack: a second-round pick in 2022 and a 2023 sixth-round pick. The Bears selected cornerback Jaquan Brisker with the second-round pick and traded the 2023 pick back to the Chargers for two seventh-round picks in 2022. Chicago selected safety Elijah Hicks and punter Trenton Gill with the picks.
Who Won the Mack Trade?
It’s a hard call to determine the winner of the trade because both teams made the deal for different reasons. The Chargers were looking for an impact defensive player to pair with linebacker Joey Bosa. The Bears wanted to get younger and clear salary cap space by moving Mack’s deal.
The Chargers made the playoffs last season, and Mack made the Pro Bowl after recording eight sacks. Mack is coming around after a slow start to his season and has recorded seven sacks in the last three games, including six in Week 4 against the Raiders. The Chargers are 2-4 on the season, including three losses by a total of eight points.
With the draft picks, the Bears selected two defensive starters and their punter. Brisker has started 22 games since the start of last season, and Hicks has started four of the first seven games in 2023. Gill has been the Bears’ punter for the last two seasons. Chicago has only won five of 19 games since the Mack trade.
The winner of the trade will be determined by whether the Chargers can make and advance in the playoffs and how the Bears’ young defensive backs continue to develop.