There are several pressing needs the Chicago Bears’ roster has with new head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. One of the more glaring weaknesses is at the both the defensive end and tackle positions, as Chicago will need to add several players via free agency and the NFL Draft. One former Bears’ player that has prior experience with Allen that could solve a significant pass-rush need is edge rusher Khalil Mack.
Khalil Mack’s presence would solve many short-term issues for Chicago’s defensive line
Over the past three seasons under general manager Ryan Poles’ tenure, Chicago’s defensive line has consistently struggled with generating pass rush pressure against opposing quarterbacks. In the last three years, despite the Bears’ defensive scheme being reliant on pressure from the defensive line, failed to have any defensive lineman record seven or more sacks in one season. Mack, who has experience playing as a linebacker and defensive end depending on the defensive system, has averaged over ten sacks each of the last three seasons and is a free agent this offseason.
Although Khalil Mack will be 34 years old when the 2025 season starts, his presence and pass rush consistency is exactly what Chicago’s new defense will need under Allen. For the past two seasons, Poles has failed to add multiple proven pass rushers, leading to the team’s best defensive end to face multiple blockers and being unable to get to the opposing quarterback. Whether it was Yannick Ngakoue in 2023 or Montez Sweat last year, there was no second pass rushing threat on the defensive line to offer assistance.
The great aspect of pairing Mack with Sweat would be to give the Bears’ best pass rusher a legitimate threat on the other side of the line to help cause blocking confusion for opposing offenses. This past year, Chicago’s defense only totaled 40 sacks, with no one on the defensive line totaling more than five and a half sacks. Last season, Mack’s eight sacks with the Los Angeles Chargers would have been more than any Bears’ lineman has had in the past two years, outside of Sweat’s six in the second half of 2023.
Adding Mack would also avoid an unfortunate trend that has plagued defensive linemen drafted by Poles over the last three years. defensive ends such as Dominique Robinson and Austin Booker struggled significantly in their respective rookie seasons because they relied upon immediately and heavily to generate pressure, resulting in their development being skewed. Poles is likely to add a pass rushing defensive end with one of Chicago’s three top selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, and adding Mack would allow for the prospect to be given time to fully develop and be free of having to produce immediately.
Given where Chicago’s roster is at currently, along with Poles and Johnson’s desire to build the core of the team through the draft, signing Mack in free agency is the most sensible move from a resource standpoint. Chicago wouldn’t need to spend an immense amount of money or sign Mack to a long-term deal that exhausts salary cap space, nor would they have to potentially trade draft selections for an elite-level defensive end like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby. Khalil Mack would serve as the perfect stop-gap solution for the defense until Allen can develop the defensive linemen drafted by the Bears this season or last season.
Khalil Mack could help Dennis Allen’s new defensive scheme due to prior experience
With Allen’s new defensive scheme being similar to former Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus’ defensive system, adding Mack as a pass rusher will matter significantly. Chicago’s new defensive coordinator has had a history of working with some of the league’s best and most consistent pass rushers including Hendrickson, Cameron Jordan, and Von Miller. Despite concerns about Khalil Mack’s age, there should be confidence and excitement that Allen can maximize most of the future Hall of Fame edge rusher’s remaining career.
Despite there being similarities with the defensive scheme, there will be differences with Allen’s new defensive system, and adding a veteran that has experience with the system would add tremendous value. Mack would be able to serve as an example of what is expected of a defensive end when it comes to roles and assignments, something that will be vital for the younger players. Additionally, having a player of Khalil Mack’s caliber when it comes to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks would help to avoid the risk of blown assignments in the defensive secondary.
Pairing Sweat and Mack together would also be a key part to Allen executing his defensive scheme to its full potential, as he has relied on multiple linemen to generate consistent pressure during his time in New Orleans, Denver, and Oakland. From 2018 to 2023, New Orleans’ defense had two or more defensive linemen record six or more sacks. A combination of Khalil Mack and Montez Sweat playing under Allen would likely lead to similar results, and mark the first time since 2021 that two or more Bears’ players had six more sacks.
One vital feature of Chicago’s defense will be the unit’s ability to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and Khalil Mack would be the free agent most equipped to help. Khalil Mack’s best day are likely behind him and he will be remembered as one of the best defenders in Chicago history for his play with the team from 2018 to 2021. If the Bears were to bring him back in 2025, it would be a fitting ending to a hall of fame career, as his role would change from a premiere pass-rusher to more of a reliable contributor, something the defense desperately needs.
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