The Chicago Bears made a splash trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round selection.
While the draft compensation was surprising to most, it’s the impact Mack’s trade has on Chicago’s salary cap that might be an indication as to why they only got a second-rounder and sixth-rounder.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chargers are taking on the three remaining years of Mack’s contract, which totals $63.9 million. Chicago gets $6 million in cap savings for the 2022 season. Unfortunately, the Bears will still have to eat $24 million in dead money this year.