In his eight-year career, Khalil Mack was traded once, but in March 2022, he was again at the center of a blockbuster trade.

On March 16, 2022, the Los Angeles Chargers announced a new member of their team, the outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The team had acquired him from the Chicago Bears, but in return for the 31-year-old Mack, the Los Angeles Chargers will provide the Chicago Bears with their second-round pick in the draft picks for 2022 and also the sixth-round pick in the coming year, 2023.

With Uchenna Nwosu moving to the Seattle Seahawks in March 2022, there was a hole in the Los Angeles Chargers that needed filling, and for the team, Khalil Mack would be a formidable foe. 

The deal will once again reunite Mack with his 2016 coach, Brandon Staley when they were together at the Chicago Bears before Staley moved to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018. The two are said to have fantastic synergy and energy, and Staley went on to state the positive role Mack had in his development as a coach.

In his first season with the Bears, Mack started the season aggressively, ending it with 12.5 sacks. This was the first-ever double-digit sack season Mack had while at Chicago. In 2021, Mack only had 6 sacks, ending the season with a foot injury.

The Chargers had a desperate need for a strong defense as the team came in 30th in the year 2021 rushing defense statistics. With Mack now backing up the Chargers and Joey Bosa, the only player in Chargers history to record double-digit sacks, many are predicting a ferocious combination of players ready to dominate the upcoming season. Khalil and Joey both made it to the top 4 in total defensive pressure and have both had 12 strip-sacks in the past 5 seasons. 

Born on February 22, 1991, Khalil Mack always showed an interest in basketball but soon realized he was great at football, securing a football scholarship in college. Relentless in his mission to become the greatest outside linebacker, Khalil Mack soon became one of the most decorated defensive players in NFL history. He even received the title “Defensive Player of the Year” in 2016. 

Khalil Mack was named an all-star for six consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2020. He has also won the “Defensive Player of the Month” twice in 2016 and 2018. Besides these recognitions, Mack’s 23 forced fumbles remain tied for third place in the NFL. 

According to Over The Cap, Mack has $17.75 million (2022), $22.9 million (2023), and $23.25 million (2024) remaining on his contract, and the Chargers are expected to take this on. However, this is not guaranteed money providing the Los Angeles Chargers an out if they find that Khalil Mack’s selection does not suit their team arrangement. 

The deal is said to be one of the best for the Chargers as they are not bound to Khalil Mack according to the signed contract and they don’t have to give away their first-round pick. After finalizing Mack’s trade, the Chargers will have the opportunity to hold 10 picks this year.