Why the Bears aren’t a real threat to the Chargers’ Khalil Mack

Khalil Mack, the dominant edge rusher for the Los Angeles Chargers, remains one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL. His rare blend of speed, power, and intelligence has made him a force to be reckoned with throughout his career. However, while the Chicago Bears are the team that originally traded for him in 2018, they do not pose a significant threat to him now that he plays for the Chargers. This article delves into the reasons why the Bears, as currently constructed, are not a serious challenge to Mack’s dominance on the field.

The Bears’ Offensive Line Woes

One of the biggest reasons the Bears are not a threat to Mack is their inconsistent offensive line play. Over the past several seasons, the Bears have struggled to build a reliable unit capable of protecting their quarterbacks and opening up the run game. Despite investing draft capital and free-agent resources into the offensive line, the unit remains a work in progress.

Lack of Elite Pass Protection

Mack thrives against weak offensive tackles, and the Bears’ current offensive tackles lack the high-end talent to neutralize him. Braxton Jones, while a promising young tackle, is still developing, and his ability to contain an elite pass rusher like Mack is questionable. On the right side, the Bears have also cycled through different players, none of whom have proven to be a consistent, top-tier protector against premier edge rushers.

Interior Line Struggles

Mack isn’t limited to rushing from the outside—he can attack from various angles, including inside stunts. The Bears’ interior offensive line, though improved with some recent additions, has not been consistently dominant. If Mack and the Chargers’ defensive front can generate interior pressure, it will collapse the pocket and force hurried throws, leading to mistakes and inefficiencies for the Bears’ offense.

Justin Fields’ Development and Decision-Making

Another factor that limits the Bears’ ability to threaten Mack is the development and decision-making of quarterback Justin Fields. While Fields is an electric playmaker with elite speed and a strong arm, his tendency to hold onto the ball too long plays right into the hands of dominant pass rushers like Mack.

Susceptibility to Pressure

Fields has shown improvement in his pocket presence, but he still takes too many sacks. Mack, known for his relentless motor and elite hand technique, is precisely the kind of rusher who capitalizes on a quarterback who hesitates in the pocket. If Fields does not significantly improve his processing speed and ability to get the ball out quickly, Mack will have ample opportunities to disrupt plays.

Lack of Quick Passing Game

One of the best ways to neutralize a dominant pass rusher is through a well-executed quick passing attack. Unfortunately for the Bears, their offensive scheme has not consistently emphasized quick releases and timing-based throws. If they cannot develop a system that minimizes Mack’s opportunities to reach the quarterback, they will struggle against him when facing the Chargers.

Defensive Scheme Mismatches

Another key reason the Bears do not pose a serious threat to Mack is the mismatch between their offensive scheme and the Chargers’ defensive philosophy. Brandon Staley, the Chargers’ head coach, is a defensive-minded strategist who understands how to maximize Mack’s impact within a modern defensive system.

Staley’s Defensive Philosophy

Staley runs a hybrid defensive system that moves Mack around, making it difficult for offenses to key in on him. This flexibility allows Mack to exploit weaknesses in the Bears’ blocking scheme, as he won’t be limited to simply rushing from one side. The Bears’ coaching staff will have to account for his presence on every play, limiting their offensive flexibility.

The Chargers’ Supporting Cast

Mack is not alone on the Chargers’ defense. With Joey Bosa on the opposite edge, the Bears cannot simply double-team Mack without exposing themselves to another elite pass rusher. The presence of Bosa, combined with interior disruptors such as Sebastian Joseph-Day, creates a nightmare for an offense that already struggles with pass protection. This dynamic means that even if the Bears attempt to neutralize Mack, they will likely face pressure from other sources, leading to breakdowns in their offensive execution.

Lack of High-Powered Weapons

Another issue for the Bears is their lack of truly elite offensive weapons that could force the Chargers to change their defensive approach. While the addition of DJ Moore has provided a legitimate receiving threat, the Bears still lack the kind of offensive firepower that can dictate matchups against an elite pass-rushing team.

Wide Receiver Depth

Beyond Moore, the Bears’ receiving corps lacks a second dominant playmaker who can draw attention away from the Chargers’ pass rush. If the Chargers can contain Moore with solid coverage, they can dedicate more resources to disrupting the passing game and getting after Fields.

Running Game Challenges

A strong running game can slow down elite pass rushers by forcing them to respect play-action and misdirection plays. While the Bears have talented running backs in Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, their offensive line’s inconsistency makes it difficult to establish a consistently dominant rushing attack. If the Bears cannot run the ball effectively, Mack and the Chargers’ defense will be free to focus on attacking the quarterback.

Mack’s Motivation Factor

Mack is a highly motivated player who performs at his best when he has something to prove. While he played well for the Bears during his tenure in Chicago, the team’s decision to trade him may add extra fuel to his competitive fire when facing them. Players of Mack’s caliber often use these kinds of matchups as extra motivation to dominate.

Proving the Bears Made a Mistake

While the Bears’ trade of Mack was largely seen as a move to reset their roster and clear cap space, Mack likely still feels that he has unfinished business against his former team. This emotional edge could drive him to perform at an even higher level when he lines up against Chicago.

Veteran Leadership and Experience

Mack is no longer just a physical force—he is a veteran leader with years of experience dissecting offensive schemes. His ability to recognize offensive tendencies and adjust on the fly gives him an advantage over a Bears team that is still developing its offensive identity. His leadership within the Chargers’ defense also ensures that his teammates are prepared to execute a game plan that exploits the Bears’ weaknesses.

While the Chicago Bears have made strides in improving their roster, they are not a legitimate threat to Khalil Mack and the Los Angeles Chargers. Their offensive line inconsistencies, Justin Fields’ development curve, and the Chargers’ defensive scheme all work against them when facing an elite pass rusher like Mack. Additionally, the lack of high-powered weapons and Mack’s personal motivation to dominate his former team further diminish the Bears’ chances of neutralizing him.

Unless the Bears can make significant improvements in their pass protection, quick passing game, and overall offensive execution, Mack will remain a formidable force that they are ill-equipped to handle. The Bears may have once built their defense around him, but now they find themselves on the opposite side of his relentless pursuit, with little to suggest they can slow him down.