With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, Bears could emerge as a Khalil Mack suitor if Chargers shop pass rusher

As the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 nears, the Bears are being mentioned as a team to watch if the Chargers choose to make Khalil Mack available. The idea, as outlined by Pro Football Rumors drawing on reporting from The Athletic, is that Mack could become a realistic target for teams seeking a proven edge presence, and Chicago is among the clubs that fit that profile.

Mack’s connection to the Chargers is central to the speculation. He has been a member of Los Angeles since the team acquired him from the Bears in 2022, turning a former Bears cornerstone into a repeat rental-and-renbuild lever for the franchise that now holds his contract. If the Chargers decide they are willing to part ways with him, the Bears become an obvious storyline, not only because of history but because of the fit as a veteran pass-rush upgrade option.

Pro Football Rumors also framed the watch list more broadly. It suggested wide receiver Quentin Johnston could be another trade candidate for the Chargers as the deadline approaches, meaning Los Angeles could potentially explore moves that change the makeup of both its pass rush and its receiving group within the same window. In that context, Mack would represent the most established piece, while Johnston would be the younger, longer-term asset being considered.

From a personnel perspective, Mack’s value in trade talks is tied to what teams tend to prioritize around the deadline: pressure that can be immediately integrated, schematic flexibility as a standalone edge player, and leadership that can help stabilize a defense during the stretch run. For a club weighing whether to push chips for postseason positioning, that type of profile often carries more momentum than purely developmental options.

For the Bears, a Mack-centric scenario would be less about a fresh rebuild narrative and more about the practical question of how to strengthen their pass rush in time to matter. Chicago’s interest would likely reflect a desire to add experience and disrupt opposing timing games at the line of scrimmage, particularly if the team believes it can convert incremental defensive improvements into more consistent results.

Still, this is trade-rumor territory, not a confirmed transaction. The reporting that places Mack on the “could be available” list does not establish that the Chargers will actually trade him, nor does it identify what the return would look like. What to watch next is whether Los Angeles keeps the conversation at the level of rumors or whether reporters begin to attach concrete indications, such as increased inquiries or more specific parameters tied to the Nov. 10 deadline.