Why the Bears Couldn't Trade for EDGE Khalil Mack

After the Chicago Bears landed defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a big-time trade from the Tennessee Titans, there was still plenty of speculation about whether Chicago was going to make additional moves. 

Bears general manager Ryan Poles sent two first-round draft picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Titans in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Although that was significant draft capital used in the trade, there had been reports and speculation about the Bears interest in Los Angles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. 

With the Chargers in the middle of an 0-8 season, it would have made sense for Los Angeles to trade away the veteran to recoup picks for the future. Los Angeles remained relatively quiet at the trade deadline, sending their leading tackler, linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Denver Broncos for a 2027 fourth-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. 

So, why didn't the Chargers deal Mack? 

NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared his insight on the trade that didn't happen. Rapoport started by saying this was the one deal he would have expected to happen. 

"Here's the reason it didn't," Rapoport said. "Chargers never wanted to deal Khalil Mack. They never got close to dealing Khalil Mack. They wanted him in their locker room. They wanted him to help teach some of the young pass rushers. They want a good culture, and he is a great guy and a great leader. And then for the Chicago Bears, once they did the Jeffery Simmons deal, that was kind of it. That was kind of the only draft pick compensation they were going to give up."

Rapoport wrote in his caption of the video "a trade that didn't happen but could've." However, it doesn't appear the trade "could've" happened if the Chargers never intended on dealing him. So, it did seem like it was too much of a possibility. 

If the Bears weren't open to dealing more draft capital after the Simmons trade, then the idea of Mack returning to Chicago was just trying to connect dots to make a reunion happen. 

After Poles traded for Simmons, he spoke to the media the following day and expressed the team's stance on draft capital. 

“One thing I want to hit, like I know it's kind of a joke that kind of goes around, but like ‘F them picks’ is like a big thing," Poles said. "That's really not what we're about. I know it took a lot to get this done, but we absolutely believe that the draft and bringing in young talent is the way that you sustain success around here. We're going to challenge .. I'm challenging myself and our crew, that for the picks that we do have, we have to hit."

Maybe defensive end Austin Booker's play also factored into the Bears' desire to trade for an edge rusher. The third-year player currently has a career-high five sacks and was disruptive in the 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Regardless, Poles didn't lean into the "F them picks" mentality, and the Chargers weren't interested in dealing Mack for future capital.