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3 ideal Khalil Mack trade scenarios from the Chicago Bears

Does six-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack have a future with the Chicago Bears? It’s going to be a major question mark entering their first offseason under a new regime.

New head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles took to the media in their introductory press conference on Monday. What they had to say might have been telling.

“We’re gonna build through the draft,” Poles said Monday. “We’re gonna acquire young, fast and physical football players. We’re gonna be selective through free agency. And we’re gonna connect evaluation with valuation.”

Evaluation with valuation? Set to count $30.15 million against the cap in 2022, that quote doesn’t necessarily bode well for Mack’s future in Chicago. He’s coming off a six-sack season, his worst output since Mack was a rookie with the then-Oakland Raiders back in 2014. He also missed 10 games to injury.

The question here is trade value. Any team looking to acquire Mack wouldn’t only have to give up draft picks to and the edge rusher, it would need to take on a bad contract. In turn, Mack would have to restructure his deal to lower that eye-opening 2022 cap number.

Below, we look at three ideal Khalil Mack trade scenarios should Chicago’s new brass opt to move off him.

Khalil Mack trade to the Denver Broncos

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  • Bears get: second-round pick in 2022, future mid-round pick, Tim Patrick
  • Broncos get: Khalil Mack

The Broncos ran a 3-4 defense under former head coach Vic Fangio. Given the individuals new head coach Nathaniel Hackett is interviewing for the defensive coordinator job, it seems like Denver will go in the same direction next season.

Using one of the draft picks it acquired in the Von Miller trade, Denver adds another elite-level pass rusher to go with Bradley Chubb. And while quarterback has to be the primary focus here, adding someone like Mack just makes too much sense. This deal also wouldn’t prohibit the Broncos from pulling off a potential Aaron Rodgers blockbuster trade.

As for the Bears, they get a proven starting wide receiver for young quarterback Justin Fields. Patrick, 28, recorded 53 receptions for 734 yards and five touchdowns last season. Picking up two draft picks also fits what new Bears general manager Ryan Poles is attempting to do.

Related: Three moves the Chicago Bears should make after Matt Eberflus hiring

Khalil Mack trade to the Indianapolis Colts

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  • Bears get: 2022 second-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, future mid-round pick
  • Colts get: Khalil Mack

Regardless of the Carson Wentz situation, it’s clear that Colts general manager Chris Ballard has opted to go all in. Trading for Wentz and DeForest Buckner over the past two offseasons adds another layer to this. The idea is to build up a contender via proven assets. It failed last season with Wentz himself struggling late during the regular year.

What we do know is that Indianapolis lacks a true edge pass rush threat to go with Buckner. A first-round pick last April, Kwity Paye struggled to the tune of 10 quarterback hits and four sacks as a rookie. All said, the Colts tallied a mere 33 quarterback take downs. Mack would change this immediately.

Chicago’s inclusion in this trade has to do with head coach Matt Eberflus’ relationship with his former Colts team. He was their defensive coordinator from 2018-21. This familiarity tends to help trades go through. In the process, Chicago adds two valuable second-round picks and a conditional third-round selection to the mix.

Related: Sportsnaut’s updated 2022 NFL mock draft

Baltimore Ravens go big-game hunting with Khalil Mack

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  • Bears get: Jaylon Ferguson, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 second-round pick
  • Ravens get: Khalil Mack

The Bears might be best served finding a young pass rusher to replace Khalil Mack in a potential trade. While Ferguson has not panned out in three seasons with Baltimore, the former third-round pick still boasts a nice amount of upside and is still just 26 years old. A change of scenery could do him well. As with the other scenarios here, adding two valuable picks would help Chicago retool via the NFL Draft.

As for Baltimore, it lost former Pro Bowlers Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon in free agency last spring. This impacted the Ravens’ defense in a big way.

  • Baltimore Ravens defense 2020: Second in scoring, 39 sacks
  • Baltimore Ravens defense 2021: 19th in scoring, 34 sacks

Bringing in Mack to team up with stud youngster Odafe Oweh would help this team improve big time from a pass-rush perspective. In turn, new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald would have a couple nice toys to play with.

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