After making a blockbuster trade for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons a couple weeks ago, the Chicago Bears remained quiet on the final day of the NFL trade deadline.
It was a bit of a surprise considering they have a need at cornerback, and there were rumors still swirling around the Bears and one big name: Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, who Chicago traded for back in 2018 and became an integral part of the defense.
In fact, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said the deal he most expected to happen in the weeks leading up to the deadline was the Bears trading for Mack. But Rapoport ultimately explained why it didn't happen.
"The Chargers never wanted to deal Khalil Mack," Rapoport said. "They never got close to dealing Khalil Mack.
They wanted him in their locker room to help teach some of the young pass rushers...For the Chicago Bears, once they did the Jeffery Simmons deal, that was kind of it. That was the only draft pick compensation they were going to give up."
The Bears had a clear need along the defensive line heading into the trade deadline, and while there was plenty to be desired by the pass rush, there was an argument that defensive tackle was a bigger priority than edge rusher. Chicago then sent a hefty haul in the former of two first-round picks -- which might've been a steal in hindsight -- to land arguably the game's best defensive tackle in Simmons, who's proven to be a gamewrecker in his first two games with the Bears.
While a Bears-Mack reunion would've been nice, it's safe to say Chicago is quite happy with their acquisition of Simmons that has already overhauled Dennis Allen's defense in a big way.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Why a Bears-Khalil Mack trade didn't happen before deadline
