The most buzzed-about rumor leading up to the NFL’s trade deadline is that the Chicago Bears are trying to pry Khalil Mack away from the Los Angeles Chargers. Every network’s insider has reported it, but every report about Mack and a potential trade ends the same way: the winless Chargers don’t intend to trade him, or anyone, for that matter.
Chargers head coach Jin Harbaugh was asked about Mack yesterday, and he reiterated their desire to keep him. “I want Khalil Mack here. Khalil Mack wants to be
here,” Harbaugh said, via The Athletic. “He’s one of the pillars of our team.”
Earlier today, The Athletic’s Noah Furtado asked Mack if he directly told Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz that he wanted to remain a Charger.
“Yeah, they know how I feel, man,” Mack said. “It’s just tough with all the outside noise. And so, ultimately, I want to be here, and I want to help them win. Even though it’s tough right now, you always see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Mack hasn’t answered similar questions about a possible trade before, and he doesn’t seem like the type of player who would demand a trade through the media, so maybe he’s just saying what a veteran team leader should say.
But you never know what motivates a player. Some seek the biggest contract possible. Some chase championships. Some are loyal to their team. Some don’t want to uproot their family. So if Mack is truly comfortable in Los Angeles, the Bears and other suitors will need to look elsewhere for pass-rush help.
