NFL Insider Fuels Khalil Mack Trade Rumors for Bears

The Chicago Bears are in second place in the NFC North. 

They are 5-2 after taking down the New England Patriots 30-24 on Thursday Night Football. The Bears avoided a near disaster before they were about to ice the game with a field goal. 

Caleb Williams dropped back to pass on 3rd-and-5 and took a sack for a loss of 10 yards. Instead of having an easier kick on the Patriots' 30-yard line, Cairo Santos now had to make a field goal from the 40-yard line, which meant the attempt was going to be from 57 yards. 

Luckily, Santos made the kick, and the Bears overcame what almost was a devastating play. 

The Bears have a minute to rest before their next game with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football on Nov. 2. After that, they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 8, just before the trade deadline. 

This year's trade deadline is on Nov. 10. 

The Bears are in a position where they could be motivated to take their pick of top talent from struggling teams that are looking to offload for draft capital or players. Chicago is currently in a playoff position and would be the No. 5 seed in the NFC if the season ended today. 

We've talked about a Khalil Mack reunion before, but this season could be the best chance of it happening. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport thinks that Mack is a name to watch for the Bears to potentially make a move on at the trade deadline. The Los Angeles Chargers are winless and could be willing to move on from Mack, who is on a one-year deal. 

"And then Khalil Mack is a fascinating name for the winless Chargers," Rapoport said. "The Chicago Bears, his old team, have a need on the edge. That is a name to watch." 

With Dayo Odeyingbo set to be on injured reserve for the next few weeks, it doesn't hurt to try to find another suitable option at edge rusher for the time being. Odeyingbo went on the IR ahead of the Atlanta Falcons game and will have to be there for at least the next four weeks. 

Mack isn't quite in his prime anymore. He went to six straight Pro Bowls from 2015-2020. He had a hiatus from the Pro Bowl for a few years after that, but returned in 2022 with the Chargers, then made two more appearances from 2023-24. 

He's not the same player, but the production is still there for the former Bears edge rusher. This season, he has three sacks in six games. 

The Bears are trying to make another deep run in the playoffs this season after falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. Bears fans have been clamoring for a reunion with Mack for years. 

This might be the best chance they've had in years to see him suit up for the Bears again. If Ryan Poles is going to make this happen, this year would be the one to do it.