The arms race in the AFC West is heating up.
The Los Angeles Chargers now have skin in the game just two days after the Seattle Seahawks agreed to trade Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. According to multiple reports, the Chargers are set to acquire Chicago Bears DE Khalil Mack in a trade.
Los Angeles is reportedly sending a 2nd rounder and a 6th rounder in 2023 to the Bears for Mack. It seems like a solid deal Los Angeles, but they will take on the remaining three years of his contract, which will cost them nearly $30 million in cap space per year annually.
Sources: The #Bears are closing in on a trade of star pass-rusher Khalil Mack, sending him to the Los Angeles Chargers for prime draft pick compensation.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2022
Mack is no stranger to the AFC West division. The former fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Mack spent the first four seasons of his career with the Raiders before he was shipped off to Chicago. The six-time pro bowler has 76.5 sacks over eight NFL seasons, but his last season with the Bears was plagued by injury, including a season-ending foot injury.
With Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr and now Russell Wilson in the division, it makes sense for the Chargers to add another pass-rusher opposite Joey Bosa. They’ve still got a few seasons before they need to worry about paying QB Justin Herbert and LT Rashawn Slater, so now is the time for them to go all-in and give themselves the best shot to compete in the division.
