Packers: Khalil Mack reportedly being traded to rival Bears
The Green Bay Packers won’t be trading for Khalil Mack.
As many Green Bay Packers fans hoped, Khalil Mack will be traded to the NFC North.
But that’s where the good news ends. Mack will be playing for the Chicago Bears.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bears are sending two first-round picks to the Oakland Raiders, and possibly more.
Sources: The #Bears are giving 2 first-round picks to the #Raiders for star Khalil Mack. That may not be it, but that is the crux of the deal. A huge, huge deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2018
This is a big move by the Bears. While it will cost a lot to bring Mack to Chicago, it’s a move that significantly helps their defense at a position of need.
It also means the Packers’ offensive line will have one more thing to worry about when the Bears visit Lambeau Field in the regular season opener next week.
In his first four years in the league, Mack has posted an incredible 40.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles. He is the difference maker the Bears have been looking for on defense.
The question many will now be asking is whether the Packers should have made a similar offer.
After all, Green Bay owns two first-round selections in the 2019 NFL Draft after receiving New Orleans’ pick in a trade.
But after extending Aaron Rodgers‘ contract earlier this week, it may have been difficult to have the highest paid player in the NFL and the highest paid defensive player on the same roster. Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is on a rookie contract.
Money and draft picks aside, this makes one of the Packers’ division rivals stronger. Already considered a team to watch in 2018, the Bears will be hoping Mack helps them become playoff contenders in the near future.
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The Packers won’t be trading for Mack, but that doesn’t mean they won’t make a signing in the coming days. On Saturday, each team will cut down their rosters to 53 players. If an edge rusher Brian Gutekunst likes comes available, the Packers could be in business.