Chicago Bears: Why the Khalil Mack era could be ending

3. The Chicago Bears need to focus on the future

Maybe the biggest reason the Bears could choose to move on from Mack this coming offseason is to focus on their future. This year, they traded some major assets in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Obviously, acquiring the rights to draft Justin Fields with the 11th overall pick was the big move. So, the Bears are without a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft because of that deal.

It was worth it. There’s no argument about that one.

Then, the Bears traded a haul of picks in this year’s draft for Teven Jenkins.

With many holes to fill next year, especially on defense and still potentially up front on the offensive line, the Bears will need to acquire assets. Not only do they need additional draft capital, but cap space.

Freeing up from the Mack contract would give them some breathing room to extend Roquan Smith and maybe go out and find an Allen Robinson replacement via free agency. They have major needs at cornerback and safety as well, but not enough capital to find legitimate starting talent.

Surrounding Fields with the right players is priority number one at this point, and if that means trading Khalil Mack, then so be it. The Bears should highly consider ending this era.