Mark Helfrich Just Gave the Best Line on Khalil Mack of 2019

Matt Nagy has gotten most of the attention from the media regarding why the Chicago Bears offense has started slowly in training camp thus far. He's played the typical diplomatic approach. He says they've done some good things but needs work while the defense has picked up right where they left off from last year. In truth though, nobody summed up the offense's headaches better than their offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich.

While many members of that Bears defense have made big plays, it all starts with Khalil Mack. The superstar pass rusher is impossible to block and his ridiculous motor even in practice as given the offensive tackles fits. Mitch Trubisky can't get comfortable in the pocket and this has led to some erratic throws during drills. This is why Mack was rated the 3rd best player in the NFL. When he steps on the field, he wrecks games.

Helfrich provided the absolute perfect line to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune for why Mack is the primary reason it's best not to judge the offense too harshly at this point. While they have work to do, they're being graded on a ridiculous curve because they have to face arguably the second-best defender in the league every day.

Mark Helfrich is correct. No other teams have Mack

Helfrich is correct. There is only one Khalil Mack in this league and the Bears offense won't have to play him on Sundays. Most NFL teams don't have pass rushers anywhere close to his caliber either. So him dominating as he has is basically like the tackles practicing against a pitching machine that throws 105 MPH. Then when they face actual pitchers who throw 95 MPH, it feels like they're coming in slow motion. That is the hidden benefit of practicing against the best.

It inevitably prepares the offense for anything.

When Charles Leno and Bobby Massie start seeing different guys in the preseason and the regular season, they'll be compelled to laugh. It will be a Sunday picnic by comparison. Mack knows his job isn't just to be great. It's to make others around him better. If consistently humbling the offense on every play forces them to execute with more precision, then so be it. Helfrich and Nagy welcome the education.