Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears made the big trade to land star pass rusher Khalil Mack just a week before the start of the 2018 NFL season. The addition boosted what already was a Top 10 defense in 2017 to the best defense in the entire NFL in 2018.
With Mack coming off the edge, he provides a pass rush that helps free up other players to get to the quarterback. In his first year with the Bears, Mack made his presence felt on the Lakefront at Soldier Field and finished the 2018 NFL season with 12.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in 14 games.
As the Bears prep for OTA’s and then training camp later this Summer before the start of 2019, Mack will be sporting the new Nike Force Savage Elite 2 and it has some inspiration from one of the best players in the NBA.
Mack is a fan of LeBron’s and even performed his signature celebration move a few times this year following a sack:
Nike looked to LeBron James to build up the Nike Force Savage 2 due to the similarities in how both players move with size and speed. Looking at the cleat, you can see a strap that provides a quick, customizable lockdown to protect Mack’s feet. The strap comes from the popular LeBron Zoom Soldier basketball shoe.
In addition, the shoe doesn’t have any laces allowing for more movement and the cleats are designed for comfort and traction.
NiceKicks spoke with Product Line Manager for Nike cleated footwear Tyler Luckey to break down the inspiration in what is a great read for Bears fans:
It all started with the LeBron inspiration. You look at LeBron and he’s massive on the court. He’s a huge player that can perform in the Soldier at the highest level when he’s his size and creating that power on the court. We took that insight over to football with the athletes that are arguably the same size and power dynamic.
Mack and the Bears hit the field for OTA’s at the end of May and it won’t be long before they are opening up their season with a Week 1 showdown at home vs. Green Bay.
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