Here we go again.
Khalil Mack is reportedly interested in playing another year. And, once again, we find ourselves discussing the possibility of an old friend returning to the friendly confines of Halas Hall.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has the latest on Khalil Mack’s future, which hangs in the balance as we are on the cusp of free agency and a new league year:
#Chargers legend Khalil Mack, one of the top edges available, will play in 2026, sources say. At the age of 35, coming off a strong season, Mack is a priority for LA.Instead of retirement, Mack is back exploring all options and will be a big-time target in free agency. pic.twitter.com/VnPRbElhEa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2026Khalil Mack is certainly coming off a solid season with the Chargers in 2025. In his age-34 season, Mack collected 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and six tackles-for-loss in 12 games. From an advanced analytics standpoint, Mack graded out well. His 83.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 12th among 115 qualifying edge defenders. Mack posted an impressive 80.6 run defense game (8th best among players at his position) and a respectable 68.9 pass rush grade (44th of 115) while playing 424 defensive snaps.
Mack might not be the dominant game-changer he was when he arrived in Los Angeles in 2022. And he might not be the franchise-altering presence he was when he landed in Chicago in 2018. But it is clear to me that there is still gas in the tank. Should the Bears be kicking the tires here?
Is a Khalil Mack-Bears reunion in the cards?
Khalil Mack played 53 games for the Chicago Bears from 2018 to 2021. He made three Pro Bowl appearances, earned a first-team All-Pro nod while also snagging a runner-up finish in the Defensive Player of the Year race in 2018, and was a second-team All-Pro player in 2020. During his time in Chicago, Mack collected 36 sacks, 52 quarterback hits, 35 tackles-for-loss, 14 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, two interceptions (including an epic pick-six), and a safety. Beyond the box score, Mack’s presence changed the vibe surrounding the team at the time. You just had to be there for it to truly understand what took place.
The Bears made the postseason twice in the first three years Khalil Mack was on the team, but he was shipped off to the Chargers in a March 2022 trade to help jump-start the rebuild under General Manager Ryan Poles. Four years later, Chicago’s football team is in the market for help off the edge. And, once again, Mack is an ideal target for this front office. Last offseason, there were several reports hinting at Mack’s interest in running it back with the Bears before he ultimately re-signed with the Chargers. Even if he hadn’t been with the team previously, I’d still have an interest in Mack being a Bears free agent target.
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)It is easy to envision Mack as part of a defensive end rotation with Austin Booker and Montez Sweat. And if Chicago’s football team isn’t going to land a big fish like Maxx Crosby in a trade, the front office’s next best move would be to attack the position group with volume, which would begin by adding help in free agency. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of Crosby joining the Bears. But if the cost of doing business by way of a trade becomes prohibitive, a sensible free-agent signing like Khalil Mack would make sense.
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus has Mack as the sixth-highest-ranked free agent edge rusher on the cusp of hitting free agency. He is also the 34th-highest-ranked free agent overall. PFF’s projected contract forecasts Mack getting a one-year deal worth $14 million. If the Bears can make something like that happen, it could position the team to draft an edge defender early without forcing them into the lineup.
I’m not sure what happened between the Bears and Khalil Mack to keep a reunion happening in 2025. But after a Chicago playoff run under Ben Johnson in his first-year as a head coach, the Bears can make a more compelling case to Mack this time around. But will it be enough to lure the star out of California and back to the Windy City? Stay tuned.
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