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Chicago Bears: Khalil Mack rejects trade idea
Imagn Images

Even amid an 0-7 start, the Los Angeles Chargers do not want to give up on the season before the trade deadline on Tuesday.

The Chargers will play the 2-5 Houston Texans on Sunday, a game that will decide if they have one win before the deadline.

Chargers defensive end Khalil Mack is of interest to the Chicago Bears, who pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans for Jeffery Simmons last week. The Bears are going all-in for a Super Bowl push this season, and a reunion for Mack would make sense, as the defense needs help on the edge in addition to the cornerback position.

Per Noah Furtado of The Athletic, Mack was asked if he spoke with Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh. Mack said Los Angeles knows he wants to stay with the team.

Khalil Mack doesn’t want to join the Chicago Bears


Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) practices before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images

“Yeah, they know how I feel, man,” Mack said. “It’s just tough with all the outside noise. And so, ultimately I want to be here and I want to help them win. Even though it’s tough right now, you always see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Chargers like the idea of keeping Mack because the veteran edge can help teach the young defensive end on the roster. Los Angeles used a first-round pick on Akheem Mesidor in April. He has 2.5 sacks this season. Mack is tied with Tuli Tuipulotu with the most sacks on the Chargers with three.

Mack, 35, has an 0-6 record in the postseason. Two of those losses came with the Bears (a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2018 Wild Card and a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the 2020 Wild Card.)

Given his age, one would think Mack would have an interest in joining a team that can make a deep run this season. The Chargers won’t be making one this season.

However, Mack has only some say in the decision. He’s on a one-year deal with Los Angeles, and Hortiz has the right to change his mind if the Chargers fall to 0-8 this weekend.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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