NFL franchise Los Angeles Chargers with the acquisition of defensive end Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears seems to have been readying themselves for the Los Angeles Rams challenge. It looks like the Rams winning the Super Bowl title last season has fired up the rivalry between the cross-city rivals. The trade also benefits the Bears, who will receive a 2nd round and 6th round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft.
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It also becomes Bears GM Ryan Poles’s first major action after taking charge in January 2022. The 2016 Defensive Player Of The Year Mack will be getting back together with his former Bears linebackers coach Brandon Staley, who is now the Chargers head coach.
Mack did start impressively with the Bears as he recorded 12.5 sacks in his first season.
But it was the only season when he managed this feat and recorded only 6 sacks in 2021 before he suffered a foot injury. The 6-time Pro Bowler will be a welcome addition for the Chargers franchise looking to step up defensively in 2022. The addition of Mack can only spell great things for the franchise, and he will be forming a fearsome duo with DE Joey Bosa.
Does the acquisition of Khalil Mack make the Los Angeles Chargers a contender?
The franchise in 2021 ranked 30th in rushing defense while allowing 138.9 yards per game. They also allowed the highest conversion rate at 69% on third down in the NFL. The teaming up of both Mack and Bosa, who ranks top four in total defensive pressures and 6th with strip-sacks in last 5 seasons. Together they will be a nightmare defensively for any offensive line throughout the 2022 season.
But their dreams of winning the Super Bowl championship might run through the task of facing Los Angeles Rams and Aaron Donald. Mack is known to be a transformative figure defensively and will be hoping to have a similar impact with the Chargers against their city rivals.
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He is quite similar to Donald in terms of being a defensive nightmare but will have to prove it during the NFL playoffs.
The compensation
The #Chargers are sending a 2nd rounder and a 6th rounder in 2023 for Mack. Massive. https://t.co/YErXO5Bxhv— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2022
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The Bears franchise did qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2010 after Mack’s acquisition but never won any postseason games. It might be the only question mark with the Chargers’ newest player, and the franchise will be keen to get the most out of him when it matters. They will be hoping to get off the blocks similarly to last season and place themselves in with a chance of winning it all.
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