Chargers veteran predicted to leave Los Angeles for $12 million Bears contract

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (L), general manager Ryan Poles (C) and head coach Ben Johnson (R) observe during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bears are predicted to upgrade their pass rush by luring a familiar face away from the Los Angeles Chargers in NFL free agency.

Windy City Gridiron's Jacob Infante predicts the Bears will sign edge rusher Khalil Mack to a one-year deal worth $12 million.

Mack has spent the last four seasons in Los Angeles after he was traded by Chicago in 2022.

"A Khalil Mack reunion in Chicago would be a beautiful thing from a nostalgia perspective, but he’d be much more than a familiar face for Bears fans. He’s still an effective edge rusher with tremendous play strength and a deep arsenal of moves he can use to pressure the quarterback and stop the run. Dennis Allen was also Mack’s head coach in his rookie year with the Raiders in 2014," Infante wrote.

Despite being 35, Mack is still a solid pass rusher who would be a fantastic addition to Chicago's defense.

The nine-time Pro Bowler isn't posting elite production anymore, as he had just 5.5 sacks in 12 games this past season, but Mack would step in as a starter for the Bears and provide savvy veteran play opposite Montez Sweat.

Additionally, Mack will be cheap to sign on the open market. Infante's prediction of a one-year contract worth $12 million is a reasonable deal for Mack, who tallied 17.5 sacks in his last fully healthy season in 2023.

Though trading for someone like Maxx Crosby to upgrade the defensive line would be a more electric move by general manager Ryan Poles, signing Mack would be an excellent backup plan. The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year won't be the dominant presence he once was for the Bears from 2018 to 2020, but the future Hall of Famer can still be a viable starter and make an impact on Dennis Allen's defense.

As for the Chargers, losing Mack won't be that big of a blow, especially if Los Angeles can re-sign Odafe Oweh. Tuli Tuipulotu's breakout 2025 campaign and the presence of Oweh have made Mack replaceable for Jim Harbaugh's squad.

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