The Chicago Bears are heading into a pivotal offseason-one that could define the next phase of their rebuild. After finishing with one of the NFL’s weakest defenses last year (29th in total defense), it’s clear that if this team wants to take the next step, particularly in a rising NFC North, the defense needs to level up.
And while the Bears don’t have the cap space to go on a spending spree, GM Ryan Poles has shown he can make the most of calculated moves. That brings us to one of the more intriguing possibilities on the table: a reunion with Khalil Mack.
Yes, that Khalil Mack.
The nine-time Pro Bowler who once terrorized quarterbacks in a Bears uniform could be on the market again, and the timing might just be right for both sides. Mack, who spent four seasons in Chicago from 2018 to 2021 and racked up 36 sacks during that stretch, is set to become a free agent.
And while his exit in 2022 was a necessary move for a team in full teardown mode-Poles needed cap flexibility and draft capital-it’s a different story now. The Bears are younger, deeper, and coming off their most promising season in over a decade.
A veteran pass rusher could be the final piece that elevates this defense from respectable to dangerous.
So, is a Mack reunion realistic? Absolutely. Let’s break down why it might make a lot more sense than you’d think.
Dennis Allen Connection: More Than Just Familiarity
Much has been made about Dennis Allen’s connection to Trey Hendrickson, but don’t forget-Allen and Mack go way back too. In fact, Allen was the head coach of the Raiders in 2014 when they drafted Mack out of Buffalo.
That rookie year was a formative one for both men. Mack didn’t explode onto the scene right away, but the second half of that season showed flashes of the dominant force he’d become.
Allen was fired after that season, but he played a key role in Mack’s early development. Now, over a decade later, the two could finally reunite in a system that Allen is building from the ground up in Chicago.
And Allen’s track record with veteran pass rushers-think Cameron Jordan in New Orleans-shows he knows how to get the most out of older, savvy edge players. That kind of experience matters when you’re trying to squeeze one more high-impact year out of a player like Mack.
The Price Is Right (Compared to Other Options)
Let’s be honest-this is going to be a financially disciplined offseason for the Bears. They’re not in a position to throw $20+ million per year at a guy like Hendrickson, even if he’s younger and productive.
Mack, on the other hand, turns 35 this year, and that age tag typically comes with a discount. Current projections have his market value somewhere between $14 million and $18 million per year-still a significant investment, but far more manageable, especially if it’s a short-term deal.
And that’s the key: short-term upside. If Mack still has juice left in the tank-and there’s reason to believe he does-it’s a low-risk, high-reward move.
If it doesn’t work out? The Bears aren’t on the hook for a long-term contract that could weigh them down in future seasons.
Don’t Underestimate Veteran Production
The idea that pass rushers fall off a cliff after 30 is outdated. History tells a different story. Some of the game’s best edge defenders have put up serious sack totals at age 35:
- Jason Taylor: 7 sacks
- Dwight Freeney: 8
- Bruce Smith: 10
- Kevin Greene: 10.5
- Julius Peppers: 10.5
- Cameron Wake: 10.5
- Chris Doleman: 11
- Terrell Suggs: 11
- Rickey Jackson: 11.5
- John Abraham: 11.5
That’s not just a list of Hall of Famers-it’s a blueprint. These guys didn’t just hang on; they thrived.
And it’s not far-fetched to think Mack could join that group. Despite missing five games last season due to injury, he still managed 5.5 sacks.
When he’s healthy, he can still collapse a pocket and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
The key will be managing his snap count and keeping him fresh. That’s where a coordinator like Allen comes in-someone who knows how to rotate personnel and maximize situational pass rushers.
Why It Makes Sense for the Bears
This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about fit, timing, and value.
The Bears don’t need Mack to be the 2018 version of himself. They need him to be a reliable, disruptive presence who can help close out games, mentor young defenders, and bring a championship mindset to a locker room that’s starting to believe.
In a perfect world, Chicago would land a younger, elite pass rusher in free agency or the draft. But in the real world-where budgets matter and experience counts-Khalil Mack might be the smart, strategic move that helps this defense take the next step.
And if that happens? Don’t be surprised if the Bears’ defense starts looking a lot more like a playoff-caliber unit come fall.