It’s Officially Packers Week and We’re Ready for the Macktion, and Other Bullets

Ever since the Bears announced they were bringing back the orange jersey tops, I’ve waffled on which one I wanted. And then the Bears traded for Khalil Mack and my decision easy suddenly became VERY easy.

Of course, you can get yours here:

  • You always remember your first day:
  • You’re ready for Packers Week. I’m ready for Packers Week. And it sounds like Mack is ready, too:
  • The fact that the Bears added a “consistently elite” pass-rusher to a defense that finished in the top 10 in scoring and yardage has me a little more amped about facing Aaron Rodgers:
  • I like the angle from Bears GM Ryan Pace regarding the loss of the draft capital invested to acquire Mack, via JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago. “When we look at this next draft, right, our first-round pick is Khalil Mack and our next round pick is Anthony Miller,” Pace said. That’s certainly one way to paint the picture. It’s easy to vibe with this line of thinking. With a first-round pick, you hope to draft someone who develops into a player like Mack. So instead of waiting on that player (who might not even be available when the Bears pick) the team acquired the established version of that player in the prime of his career and ensured he would wear navy and orange for the foreseeable future. Sounds like a good use of draft capital to me.
  • (Michael: I agree with everything Luis said above, but I do think Pace’s comment makes things sound a bit simpler than they really are. Yes, getting Mack is inarguably a good use of draft capital, because he’s awesome; however, it’s not quite like the Bears just BOOM! drafted Mack. After all, he’s 27 years old now, cost more than just one pick to acquire, and, thanks to his new and enormous contact, costs a lot to keep around. Again, it’s all justfiable – especially because there’s no guarantee that your first round pick is going to turn into half the player Mack still is – but it’s just more complicated than that).
  • Mack said he believes the big-money deal will push him to prove his worth moving forward, writes Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. Finding motivation isn’t easy for some, but Mack has plenty of things that should drive him to greatness. That he’s continued to push forward after establishing himself in the NFL like he was still trying to prove that two-star high school recruiting tag was bothering him is nothing short of remarkable.
  • Patrick Finley of the Sun-Times writes Mack’s addition was essential for the Bears if they were going to climb to the top of the NFC North standings. After an offseason where the Vikings went all-in on Kirk Cousins, the Packers showed Aaron Rodgers the money with a healthy extension, and the Lions changed head coaches, the Bears needed their own counter-punch to what was going down in the division … and Mack was just what the doctor ordered. It’s fitting that the NFC North has three of the four highest-paid quarterbacks in football, and that the Bears now have the highest-paid defensive player in the game. That’s not a coincidence.
  • The only thing that comes close to being as valuable as a high-end signal caller is someone who can make that guy’s life problematic. That’s what Mack does. He causes a ruckus in the backfield and makes everyone behind him on the defensive side of the ball better. There’s a reason fans of teams in the AFC West were celebrating Mack’s departure as if they just found out that their team was acquiring Mack himself. The Bears got better on Saturday, but so did everyone else in the AFC West (well, except the Raiders).
  • Mack’s sorry about that.
  • I’m soooo fired up right now:
  • The Bears are entering this new era with no regrets by doing things you would have never expected. Let it marinate for a moment. Chicago spent this offseason throwing waves of money at Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, and Trey Burton to fix their biggest weakness on the offensive side of the football, addressing positional needs and improving depth in the draft, and then put a bow at the end of the proceedings by trading for Mack, then signing him to the biggest contract ever given to a defensive player. These are not the Bears we’ve come to know. And these are certainly not your granddad’s Bears.
  • Over at Bet Chicago, Thomas Casale expresses a belief that the price the Bears ultimately paid wasn’t as large as it could have been. There is no doubt that dealing two first-round picks for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award winner in 2016 is pricey, but Casale adds the perspective of the Cowboys once trading two first-round picks for wide receiver Joey Galloway. Galloway had three 1,000-yard receiving seasons, but never earned All-Pro honors or Pro Bowl berths in his years with the Seahawks that led up to the deal. So come to think of it, two-first round picks for Mack isn’t all that much.
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    CRAAAAAAP: Justin Steele Exits the Game with an Injury

    Yep. That's about as bad as it gets. All those fears and anxieties you felt when Justin Steele took that liner off his knee in spring training came back tonight, only this time it's a soft tissue injury during the...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) are heavy underdogs (+14.5) as they attempt to break an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena. The matchup airs...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) take the court against the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) as 7.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 210 points.Cavaliers vs. 76ers OddsCavaliers odds to win:...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) are heavily favored (-10) to continue a three-game winning streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) at 8:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center. The contest airs on BSSW....

    Wizards vs. Pistons Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are 2.5-point underdogs as they attempt to turn around an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Capital One Arena. The matchup airs at 7:00 PM ET...

    Pacers vs. Lakers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak when they hit the road to play the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as just 2.5-point underdogs. The game airs at...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Western's top two teams, the Denver Nuggets (51-22) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22), hit the court at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The Nuggets are favored by 6.5 points at home....

    Warriors vs. Hornets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Golden State Warriors (38-34) play the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The over/under is set at 218 in the matchup.Warriors vs. Hornets OddsWarriors odds to win:...

    Clippers vs. Magic Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) after winning three road games in a row. The Clippers are favored by only 1 point in the contest, which starts at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, March 29, 2024....

    Bulls vs. Nets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) are favored by 5.5 points against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET. The matchup airs on NBCS. The matchup's over/under is 215.Bulls vs. Nets OddsBulls odds to win: -218Nets...

    more bears news