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The NFL headlines saved churning on Thursday, with the Chargers agreeing to accumulate star go rusher Khalil Mack in a big-name commerce with the Bears. Los Angeles was anticipated to pursue assist up entrance this offseason, however few anticipated Mack, the previous Defensive Participant of the Yr, being one of many crew’s prime targets. Already, the Chargers’ odds of a 2022 playoff run have jumped because of Mack’s arrival reverse Joey Bosa out west. However did L.A. overpay for its splashy transfer? And did the Bears get a good return for one of the achieved defensive gamers within the league?
Here is how we would grade either side of the commerce, which noticed the Chargers get Mack in change for a 2022 second-round draft decide and 2023 sixth-rounder:
Bears grade: B-
OK, so very first thing’s first: this one hurts in case you’re a Bears fan, as a result of irrespective of his price ticket or current harm, Mack is the type of imposing power any crew would like to have on its protection. Altogether, although, that is removed from a nasty wager. Chicago is basically ranging from the bottom up with a brand new regime, and Mack is 31, coming off a season-ending harm, and due a whopping $84.9 million over the following three years. He would possibly nonetheless be in Professional Bowl type by the point Justin Fields and Co. are (ideally) able to contend, however as an alternative, the Bears immediately get monetary savings whereas including a stable Day Two decide for the rebuild.
The explanation they do not ace this deal is as a result of it is principally simply for a second-rounder, months after the Rams gave up a second- and third-rounder for a half-season of 32-year-old Von Miller. (The 2023 sixth provides roughly the identical worth of a 2022 seventh, which is all however a throwaway decide.) Granted, Miller was a lot inexpensive and wasn’t freshly injured, however Mack, when wholesome, stays an elite starter. You must marvel, if Mack returned to full velocity to begin 2022, how a lot the Bears might’ve gotten from one other contender by promoting him nearer to the commerce deadline as an alternative.
Chargers grade: B+
Is it a steep value for an ageing go rusher who’s coming off a severe harm, particularly in gentle of the very fact they’re going to be absorbing all of Mack’s remaining contract? Certain. There is a first rate probability, even when Mack returns to full well being reverse Bosa, his days of Defensive Participant of the Yr-level dominance are behind him. You may make the argument the Chargers would’ve been simply as effectively off committing large cash (however not Mack-level large) to veteran free brokers like Von Miller or Chandler Jones, or slightly making a longer-term funding in somebody like Emmanuel Ogbah.
However let’s be trustworthy: that is precisely the type of transfer you make in case you consider you are on the brink, and the Chargers, with an ascending franchise QB in Justin Herbert, rightfully do. Pairing Mack with Bosa and a line of defense that is additionally certain to get some upgrades by way of the draft or free company is a recipe for one of many scariest entrance sevens within the NFL, particularly contemplating coach Brandon Staley has a historical past with Mack from their time in Chicago. Worst-case state of affairs, the gamble would not repay with a title within the subsequent yr or two, and L.A. can get out of Mack’s deal pretty simply; the veteran may be minimize in 2023 to save lots of $16.9M, or in 2024 to save lots of $20.3M.
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