It was a crisp late summer morning on September 1st when news that would shock the entire football world broke. Oakland Raiders superstar linebacker Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears for what seems lesser at the moment but here is what came in return. The Raiders received first-round picks in both 2019 and 2020, as well as a 2020 third-round pick and a 2019 sixth-round pick.
Oakland coach Jon Gruden had just signed his 10-year 100 million dollar contract and was exerting his will as the main decision-maker in the organization. The tone around the league, however, was wondering what Gruden was thinking, or lack thereof. I'm not going to get into all the drama.
Mack's Reaction
Mack, understandably shocked by the news as well. When asked about it on Tuesday by reporters, he said he envisioned himself playing out his career with the Silver and Black.
I mean that's the expectation when you get drafted to a team. You wanna be there for the long haul and bring championships and all those good things. That's the business side of it
Mack vs Raiders
Since the trade back in 2018, Khalil Mack has single-handedly outperformed the entire Raider defense. Not to mention that a Bears defense that was ranked ninth total in 2017 skyrocketed to top in the league in 2018 and is headed that way again in 2019.
The Raiders were already a defense struggling to stop opposing offense in 2017 ranking 20th in the league in total defense and 24th in total sacks with only 31 on the season. Trading Mack did Gruden no favors in his first season. Oakland dropped to dead last in total defense for the 2018 season. They also fell to dead last in sacks with a pathetic 13 total on the year, the second closest being the New York Giants with 30 total sacks.
Sunday's matchup
There's no question that the Bears are the better team going into Sunday's matchup and this would be the storyline for another game. Gruden wishes this was the case. In his weekly press conference, Gruden was reticent to credit the All-Pro for the Bears massive jump. Instead, he decided to talk about some of the other Bears' pieces.
The problem is you’re not just scheming for him. (Leonard) Floyd is not a bag of rocks. The guy’s a great player.
Gruden also went on to talk about the Bears defensive scheme and how the players that they put in place are equipped to stop a player like Mack.
They have two of the best inside players in the league and have a great blitz scheme. It’s easier said than done to put two guys on Mack. They blitz enough where you can’t get help. That’s why we brought in (right tackle) Trent Brown, that’s why we drafted (left tackle) Kolton Miller in the first round. Those guys are going to have some tough snaps against a great player.
The Raiders are up next on the schedule for the Bears, a matchup Mack will relish in. This is the first time he's faced his former team since the trade and it will take place in London for the NFL international series. Mack says this trip is all business.
This is a business trip man. Strictly business. I'm looking forward to it man. It's gonna be a fun one.
