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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 21: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on October 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 21: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on October 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears: Trading for Khalil Mack

There were SO many moves by the Bears this year that could’ve qualified for this list including the hiring of head coach Matt Nagy or the retention of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Yet it’s impossible to argue the fact that this team didn’t truly become a force until the arrival of Khalil Mack on September 1st via one of the biggest landmark trades in franchise history.

Nobody saw the move coming. There was no way in the world the Oakland Raiders would be dumb enough to trade one of the best pass rushers in football. Nevermind the unrealistic belief that GM Ryan Pace has the willingness to sacrifice the draft picks and money necessary to get him. Those people were quickly proven wrong.

Chicago sacrificed two 1st round picks and two others to get Mack from Oakland and quickly made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. How did he reward them? He has 10 sacks this season with three games still to play and his presence has turned the Bears defense from a pretty good unit into the best in the NFL, paving the way for a 9-4 record.

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