Report: Former Defensive Player of the Year coming to the NFC North
By Adam Carlson
Khalil Mack is a dominating force on the football field and now he will play the Minnesota Vikings twice a year to wreak havoc on the offensive line.
Entering the 2018 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings biggest question mark rests with the offensive line, where a combination of retirement, injuries, and trying players at new positions has created some question as to just how good the unit can be.
While the team was already set to face off against some amazing pass rushers twice a year in the NFC North, the news of a trade that is bringing a dominating force to the division should have fans a little concerned.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Twitter that a trade will bring 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, 3-time Pro Bowl, and 2-time All-Pro first team linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears from the Oakland Raiders.
Sources to ESPN: Raiders and Bears have an agreement in place to trade Khalil Mack to Chicago. Still working through it, but Raiders now planning to send Mack to Chicago.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2018
This trade should have the Vikings offensive line on high alert. Mack has accumulated double-digit sack numbers in the last three seasons with the Raiders. In just 64 games played, he has reached 40.5 sacks and 304 total tackles using his great combination of size, speed, agility, technique, and skill set.
At this time, fans of Minnesota have speculated as to what the offensive line will look like during Week 1 of the season, but an official lineup has yet to be revealed. The good news is the Vikings will have a little time to prepare for Mack since the team doesn’t face Chicago until Week 11 and then close the season against them in Week 17.
Trading former Defensive Player of the Year winners happened three times in NFL history before this transaction. Vikings fans will remember trading away Keith Millard to the Seattle Seahawks at the 1992 NFL Draft while the other two were Jason Taylor and Pat Swilling according to ESPN.
Next. Projecting the Vikings 53-man roster. dark
At this time, the exact compensation the Chicago Bears gave up to acquire Khalil Mack is unknown, but his arrival in the NFL North should have the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions on notice.