Kahlil Mack has been traded to the Chicago Bears. In return the Raiders get two first round picks from the Bears. Mack is arguably the best pass rusher in the league in the tier of Von Miller and Aaron Donald.
Mack had 10.5 sacks last year with the Raiders and in his four year career already has 73 sacks. Two first rounders was going to have to be the price to pull Mack away from the Raiders. This trade is somewhat unsurprising though as Mack and Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden have had no contact since Gruden got the job about a possible new contract for Mack. The Bears will now presumably pay Mack more than Rams DT Aaron Donald making Mack the highest paid defensive player in the NFL ever.
The Raiders now have a major hole to fill at pass rush but players like rookie Maurice Hurst and several other young Raiders DT’s have looked good this pre-season. Of course they won’t replace Mack but the secondary is still the worst part of this Raiders defense, I believe the defensive line will be ok.
The Bears now have arguably one of the best defensive lines in the NFC. Mack pairs well with defensive studs Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman. If Roqaun Smith lives up to the hype this Bears defense could challenge the Vikings for best in the division. Whether Mack will be ready to go a week from now against the Packers is yet to be seen but I would expect to see him in week one for the Bears. Who may have just put themselves in the playoffs with this trade.