Many NFL teams enjoy what appears to be a breakthrough campaign only to slide back down the standings and return to the drawing board the following year. The 2022 New York Giants won a road playoff game versus the Minnesota Vikings and awarded Daniel Jones a $160 million contract extension. They went a combined 13-38 the next three seasons. Ben Johnson resuscitated the Chicago Bears, but it is still unclear if last season's excitement will give way to sustained success.
The 2026 campaign is off to a bumpy start. Caleb Williams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2 and has missed the last three games. Chicago is already 0-2 in the division and is coming off a 31-7 trouncing in Lambeau Field. No. 18's imminent return could amend some of the early issues, but the much-improved defense just sustained a big blow that could cost the squad in the immediate future.
Montez Sweat will serve a two-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. The veteran edge rusher led the team with 10 sacks during the 2025 season. The player who finished second in that crucial category, Gervon Dexter, now plays for the Atlanta Falcons. This pass-rushing unit could be dangerously thin for a stretch that includes two matchups in five days.
Although teams do not clinch playoff berths in October, Chicago (3-2) could lose more ground and suffer consequences that ultimately make the difference when the final slots are filled in January. Ergo, Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles should take action now. A Khalil Mack reunion makes more sense than ever before.
The Bears should act quick and snatch the accomplished OLB
The Los Angeles Chargers continued their free fall in last Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Denver Broncos and are now 0-5. Their campaign is in flames, and with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams both on the horizon (Week 7 bye sandwiched in between), the Bolts have little hope of putting out the fire before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline. Mack hits free agency next March, making him one of the likeliest players to change teams midseason.
Following the disappointing Sweat news, the Bears should at least inquire about a potential deal with the Chargers. The fans deserve a perennial playoff contender after standing behind a direction-less franchise for so long. This move would give Chicago a better chance of booking consecutive postseason trips for the first time since the 2006 campaign.
The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First-Team All-Pro is well removed from his prime, but he can still plow through opposing offensive linemen and rattle a quarterback on a given day. Khalil Mack has three sacks and 14 total pressures in five games with the Chargers this season. He can help Chicago set the tone in the trenches, even when Sweat returns to action.
The Bears rank just outside the top-10 with 12 sacks, but another impactful pass-rusher should always be welcome, particularly in the hard-hitting NFC North. Poles should pick up the phone pronto, if he hasn't already.
Chicago cannot get complacent
Article Continues BelowMany believe it will take a fifth-round draft pick to complete a trade, and if that is indeed LA's price, Chicago should apply pressure this week. The team will visit the Falcons (2-3) on Sunday and then head back to Soldier Field for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New England Patriots (3-2). A couple of slip-ups, and a second straight divisional title will be quite difficult to pull off.
Dennis Allen's defense could use any boost it can get in the absence of Montez Sweat. Khalil Mack is the most practical option, in both the short term and for the remainder of the season. Upon arriving in Chicago in 2018, the nine-time Pro Bowl selection helped the franchise claim the North with a 12-4 record. He did everything possible to keep the squad afloat for the next few years, but the offense lacked an identity.
Ben Johnson is taking care of that, so Mack can finally compete on a well-rounded Bears group that has genuine upside. The 35-year-old is running out of time to compete for a championship. This is a win-win move for both parties.
No need to drag out the suspense. Rejoining forces is a no-brainer.