The Chicago Bears have made a major splash in the 2025 NFL free agency period, bringing back All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack to the Windy City. The blockbuster move reunites Mack with the team that he dominated with from 2018 to 2021, as the Bears continue their aggressive approach to building a championship-caliber defense.
Mack, now 34 years old, spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after the Bears traded him in 2022. Despite concerns about his age, the veteran pass rusher proved he still had plenty left in the tank, recording a career-high 17 sacks in 2023 and following it up with another dominant campaign in 2024. His performance made him one of the most sought-after defensive players in free agency, but in the end, he chose to return to Chicago, where he once made his mark as one of the most feared defenders in the NFL.
“It feels like coming home,” Mack said in his introductory press conference. “Chicago is where I built some of my best memories in the league, and I still have unfinished business here. I’m ready to help bring a championship to this city.”
Bringing Mack back is a statement move by general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, signaling that the Bears are all-in on competing in 2025. The team already has a solid defensive core featuring Montez Sweat, who was acquired via trade in 2023, and emerging young talent like Gervon Dexter Sr. and Tyrique Stevenson. Mack’s presence adds another elite-level pass rusher to a defense that aims to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
Pairing Mack with Sweat gives the Bears one of the most formidable edge-rushing duos in the NFL. Sweat, who recorded 11.5 sacks in 2024, will now benefit from having an experienced veteran lining up on the other side, forcing offenses to pick their poison.
Additionally, Mack’s leadership and experience will be invaluable for Chicago’s young defense. With several promising players still developing, his veteran presence in the locker room can help shape the next generation of Bears defenders.
Mack initially arrived in Chicago in 2018 after a blockbuster trade with the Oakland Raiders, and he made an immediate impact. In his first game with the Bears, he recorded a strip-sack, an interception, and a touchdown, setting the tone for what would become a dominant run in Chicago. He finished the 2018 season with 12.5 sacks and was named a First-Team All-Pro, leading the Bears to an NFC North title.
Though injuries slowed him down in his later years with the Bears, Mack remained one of the most respected defenders in the game. However, the team decided to trade him to the Chargers in 2022 as part of their rebuilding efforts. Now, with the Bears back in contention mode, Mack’s return feels like a full-circle moment, an opportunity to finish what he started in Chicago.
Mack’s signing is just one piece of what has been an aggressive offseason for the Bears. After securing their franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team has prioritized bolstering both the offensive and defensive lines to ensure they can compete with the top teams in the NFC.
While Mack’s age means he isn’t a long-term solution, he remains a dominant force in the trenches. If he can stay healthy, there’s no doubt he will make an immediate impact and help the Bears take the next step toward Super Bowl contention.
Bears fans have been longing for a return to dominance on defense, and with Mack back in the mix, they just might get their wish.
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