With the start of the new league year Wednesday, the trade sending Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chargers became official.
In return for the six-time Pro Bowler, the Bears will receive a 2022 second-round pick (No 48 overall) and a 2023 sixth-round selection. The deal, which was agreed to last Thursday, will reunite Mack with Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, Mack's position coach with the Bears in 2018.
The Chargers reportedly will take on the remaining three years of Mack's contract. As a result, the Bears will gain $6.15 million in salary cap space in 2022, $28.5 million in 2023 and $23.25 million in 2024.
The Bears acquired Mack in a blockbuster trade with the Raiders Sept. 1, 2018—along with 2020 second- and sixth-round picks they spent on tight end Cole Kmet and guard Arlington Hambright, respectively. In return, the Raiders received 2019 first- and sixth-round sections and 2020 first- and third-round choices.
Mack, 31, appeared in 53 games with 52 starts over four seasons with the Bears, registering 163 tackles, 36.0 sacks, 35 tackles-for-loss, 14 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
The 6-3, 267-pounder made an immediate impact in 2018, leading the Bears to the NFC North championship with a 12-4 record while topping the defense with 12.5 sacks, a career-high six forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hits.
Mack failed to reach double digits in sacks again with the Bears, however. After compiling 8.5 in 2019 and 9.0 in 2020, he produced 6.0 in his first seven games last season but missed the final 10 contests due to a foot injury that required surgery.
