Green Bay Packers: Not trading for Khalil Mack a big mistake

The Green Bay Packers made a grave mistake in electing not to trade for star pass rusher Khalil Mack.

Early Saturday morning, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Oakland Raiders would be sending All-Pro defensive end Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears. It is expected that Oakland will receive two first-round picks and a player. There had been rumors swirling that Mack had been on the trade block for a while, but the deal is finally done.

Schefter also reported on ESPN’s SportsCenter that the Bears had been in talks with the Raiders throughout the night, and had received permission to speak with Mack and his representatives regarding terms on a new contract. It is expected that Mack will be the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, just a day after Aaron Donald signed his record-breaking deal.

Mack is one of three players to have double-digit sacks in the last three seasons, along with Chandler Jones and Von Miller. Mack is also the only player in NFL history to have been named to two separate positions on the All-Pro team in the same season (outside linebacker and defensive end), a feat which may not be matched ever again.

To say the least, the Green Bay Packers may have made a huge mistake in not trading for Mack.

Although he is undoubtedly going to be the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, and Chicago gave up a plethora of trade capital, his services are more than worth it. Similarly to how former Packers general manager Ron Wolf made way for Reggie White, and Ted Thompson for Charles Woodson, this could have been current GM Brian Gutekunst‘s chance to cement his legacy.

In fact, Ian Rapoport reported that among personnel executives around the league, many thought the trade was a “toss-up'” and “a rare win-win” for both parties:

So, should Green Bay have made the move? Mack is a game-changing player, who would have been an instant upgrade for the Packers’ defense. With the inconsistency Nick Perry has shown over his entire career, and Clay Matthews only getting older by the day, it appears the Packers may have made the wrong decision.

Besides that, behind Matthews and Perry are a slew of unproven and mediocre players in Reggie Gilbert, Kyler Fackrell and Vince Biegel – names who may not even be on the roster in just a season or two. Mack would have been a core player on defense for years to come.

The Packers likely would have had to given up a player and two first-round picks in order to acquire Mack’s services. A likely trade candidate might’ve been Randall Cobb, who is entering the last year of his deal and who was rumored to have been on the trade block anyway. The Packers also have two first-round picks in 2019 (one of which was acquired from the New Orleans Saints) that they could have given up.

Instead, the Chicago Bears — Green Bay’s arch-nemesis — laid the foundation for their defense for the next several years while simultaneously keeping Mack away from a division rival.

Mack will form a nice pass-rushing duo with Leonard Floyd, with Pro Bowler Akiem Hicks and rising star Eddie Goldman clogging up the middle. Chicago also boasts an outstanding young secondary, highlighted by safeties Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson; not to mention the addition of rookie Roquan Smith, the top linebacker in this year’s draft.

Perhaps Green Bay made the right decision, but at first glance, it appears to be a huge mistake. Not only will the Packers’ offensive line be tasked with keeping him Mack away from Aaron Rodgers, but letting him go to a division rival, while also staying stagnant at a key position on defense, could hurt the team in the long-run. For now, though, we sit back and wait.