(670 The Score) There will be no return of the Mack in Chicago.
Veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack and the Chargers agreed to terms on a one-year contract Monday just before the NFL's open negotiating period started, NFL Network reported. The deal is worth $18 million and is fully guaranteed.
Mack, 34, is a nine-time Pro Bowl player who has 107.5 sacks over 11 NFL seasons. Amid his Hall of Fame-caliber career, he previously played for the Bears from 2018-'21, during which time he recorded 36 sacks in 53 games.
The Bears traded Mack to the Chargers in March 2022 in a move that marked the start of their rebuild. Now looking to emerge as a more serious contender, Chicago was expected to pursue Mack in free agency.
Mack logged 31 sacks in his first three seasons with the Chargers, including a career-high 17 sacks in 2023. He had six sacks in 2024 while playing through a nagging groin injury that he suffered in early November.
Mack spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, logging 40.5 sacks during his time in Oakland. He was traded to the Bears prior to the 2018 season in a blockbuster deal that sent two first-round picks to the Raiders. Mack then signed a six-year, $141-million deal in Chicago, which expired after this past season.
This would've marked the first time Mack hit free agency in his career. The Chargers prevented that from happening by reaching a deal with him about one hour before the Bears and other teams could've started negotiations.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.