After seeing the team they share a stadium with win a Super Bowl after going all-in in 2021, the Los Angeles Chargers appear to be following suit in 2022. On Thursday, the Bolts made a big move to bolster their pass rush, trading for Chicago Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack.
The deal has yet to be finalized but ESPN’s Adam Schefter and the NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport reported the terms.
Bears are attempting to finalize a trade now that will send six-time Pro-Bowl DE Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2022
Compensation update: Chargers are expected to send 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in return for Khalil Mack, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2022
The #Chargers are taking on all of Mack’s contract — three years at $63.9M. The #Bears move on with the picks. https://t.co/hDXR9qZa1Z
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2022
While the trade is not official, the Chargers were excited about the move.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) March 10, 2022
Let’s MF Go 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Derwin James Jr (@DerwinJames) March 10, 2022
Scary hours!
— Keenan Allen (@Keenan13Allen) March 10, 2022
Of course, not everyone was thrilled. At least for now, Allen Robinson remains on the Bears. He joked with Keenan Allen that he’d like to see Roger Goodell veto the move, like then NBA commissioner David Stern did with a trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011.
Where David Stern at !? 👀 😂😂😂
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 10, 2022
Former Bear Dick Butkus was also not especially happy.
This day is a rollercoaster. Baseball is back, but Khalil Mack won't be??? @FiftyDeuce @BearsLocal
— Dick Butkus (@thedickbutkus) March 10, 2022
But the reactions were not limited to just the Bears and Chargers. Others in the NFL world reacted to the blockbuster trade, as well.
Happy Birthday to Justin Herbert 🎉
Chargers gift him Khalil Mack 🤯 pic.twitter.com/djAZuRhJI1
— PFF (@PFF) March 10, 2022
No first rounder??? Massive get for Chargers. Had to stop driving after seeing Mack trade 😂
— Gilberto Manzano (@GManzano24) March 10, 2022
The Chargers going all in to maximize Herbert's rookie contract? HELL YES
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 10, 2022
If you’re the Chargers…go all in baby while you have Herbert on that rookie contract
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 10, 2022
And while the Chargers struggled on defense in 2021, one player that did not was defensive end Joey Bosa. He recorded 10.5 sacks en route to his third straight and fourth overall Pro Bowl appearance.
The Bosa and Mack pairing had NFL fans buzzing.
QBs finding out they have to run from Joey Bosa AND Khalil Mack now pic.twitter.com/rrAYywxQZI
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) March 10, 2022
Mack and Joey Bosa on the same line? Watch out AFC West QBs. Chargers’ defense suddenly has some serious teeth! https://t.co/V9IYIEF40i
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) March 10, 2022
Russell Wilson left Aaron Donald to be greeted by Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack 😂 https://t.co/e3ft2yHhAJ
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) March 10, 2022
everyone: the AFC West QBs are too good@chargers: pic.twitter.com/4p85SwLRnG
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) March 10, 2022
Mack and Bosa 😳😳😳 that AFC west sheesh
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) March 10, 2022
Bosa and Mack/Crosby and Ngakoue. Got some dangerous edge tandems in the AFC West. Makes you think another team in that division might make a move for Chandler Jones just to try to somewhat keep up
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 10, 2022
Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa meeting at the QB next season pic.twitter.com/jZdxIU4Fbz
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 10, 2022
Seeing that kind of talent on the defensive line, opposing offensive coordinators, quarterbacks and offensive tackles will not be excited about their 2022 games against the Bolts.
