Chicago Bears: Grading the 2018 offseason through four games

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears strips the football away from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

TRADES

Khalil Mack (EDGE, Oakland Raiders): A+

As if this will be a surprise for anybody. Most people thought they knew what the Bears were getting when they gave up four draft picks to secure 27-year old pass rusher Khalil Mack. He’s one of the best sack artists in football, right? A big help at a position the Bears needed. Except that doesn’t even come close to the true value that Mack brings to a team.

He’s been utterly unstoppable since joining the Bears defense with 5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and an interception returned for a touchdown. More than that? Others around him are playing better than they ever have too. His leadership and energy have proven intoxicating to that defense and it’s now ranked among the best in the NFL.

Meanwhile, the Raiders defense he left behind is near the bottom of the league in every category. Their pass rush is almost nonexistent. Barely one month after it happened, people are already calling the trade one of the worst decisions in recent history. For Chicago? It could very well be the best the franchise has pulled off in the Super Bowl era.

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