Khalil Mack enters free agency for the first time in his career this offseason with the LA Chargers making it extremely clear they want to bring him back. Mack, who has never won a playoff game in his NFL career, will rightfully take his time to weigh all of the options in free agency.
Mack is bound to have a market as one of the biggest free agents this offseason. Two teams other than the Chargers have already emerged as potential suitors as the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers were specifically mentioned by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Chicago has emerged as the more concerning of the two teams for the Chargers. Not only has Mack played for the Bears before, but new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was his first head coach with the Raiders.
The interest may go both ways. According to 670 The Score, sources believe Mack is interested in returning to the Bears. As worrisome as this appears to be for the Chargers, it is important to remember the Bolts are likely in the driver's seat when it comes to Mack.
The Bears are not a true threat to steal Khalil Mack from Chargers
This isn't to say Mack's potential interest in returning to Chicago is false. There absolutely could be a level of interest in returning to Chicago, but that does not mean it is the only thing Mack is interested in this offseason.
In fact, it is pretty obvious what Mack is interested in most moving forward: winning. Mack made it abundantly clear in his post-season media availability that he just wants to win and compete for a Super Bowl.
Chicago is on the right track with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback and highly touted offensive mind Ben Johnson as the head coach. There is just one problem: the Bears have not proven anything yet.
That is not to say the Bears can't make the playoffs in 2025 and who knows, Chicago might be in the Super Bowl conversation in a few years with these two leading the way. The problem for Mack is that he doesn't have time to waste.
Despite being productive, Mack is entering the twilight of his career. It is imperative for him to land somewhere where he can contend for a Super Bowl and right now, the Chargers are in a much better position to do so.
If a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions or Buffalo Bills were to go after Mack then it would be a legitimate concern for the Chargers. Those teams are on a different tier than the Chargers and would be able to sell Mack on the idea of winning a Super Bowl.
The Bears do not have the same selling point. If Mack's priorities are where we assume they are then the Chargers don't have to worry about him leaving for Chicago.