Khalil Mack is set to be one of the more recognizable names when free agency hits, and some believe it wouldn’t be a shock to see him finish his career with the Chicago Bears.
Now 34, Mack played four seasons in Chicago from 2018-2021 after the Bears acquired him in a blockbuster trade and signed him to a long term extension.
He quickly became the face of a defense that carried the Bears to the NFC North title in 2018, when the club went 12-4. When general manager Ryan Poles traded him to the Los Angeles Chargers in March of 2022, he had 36.0 sacks in his four seasons with the Bears, along with three Pro Bowl selections. He also earned first-team and second-team All-Pro nods.
CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles made predictions for where the top free agents will land in 2026, and he thinks the Return of the Mack is happening.
CBS Sports Predicts Khalil Mack Will Re-Sign With the Chicago Bears in 2026 Free Agency
GettySome believe Khalil Mack will re-sign with the Chicago Bears in 2026 with Ben Johnson leading the way.
On the field, Mack has shown he can still produce, even as his role has changed due to age and injuries. He had a career season in 2023 with the Chargers, netting 17.0 sacks. In 2024, he finished with 6.0 sacks in 16 games, and in 2025, he had 5.5 sacks in 12 games while dealing with an elbow injury that forced him to hit injured reserve for a month.
His production has undeniably dipped over the last few years, but when healthy, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Adding him to a rotation that includes Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo would give the Bears three solid pass rushers. And with Austin Booker also in the mix, the Bears could utilize Mack a bit more sparingly, allowing him to rest and stay fresh enough to make an impact when he sees the field.
“Mack makes a return to Chicago, where he starred from 2018-21,” Pereles predicted on January 27. “The Bears need to juice their pass rush without spending a ton, and Mack fits both.”
Chicago won the NFC North in 2025, but it’s no secret Dennis Allen’s defense could use more pass rush help. Would Mack be willing to return to a team and GM who once traded him, though? It’s possible, particularly considering the Bears are a contender again, and he was a fan favorite when he was in Chicago.
Mack Could Also Retire in 2026
Mack played on a fully guaranteed one-year, $18 million deal with the Chargers last season. He’ll likely command a bit less than that if he plays in 2026. Retirement is potentially on the table, but Mack had made it clear his goal remains the same: He wants a Super Bowl.
“You feel different in the sense of understanding how much time do you really have left to play at a certain level and what is that going to look like moving forward,” Mack said after the Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs this season. “You don’t want to make a decision based on how you feel in the present moment, especially after a tough loss. It’s about taking time and taking that step back.”
“Not trying to make that decision right now like I’ve almost done before,” he added. “Trying to stay as present as possible, stay prayed up, make a decision based on how I’m feeling and how my family is feeling, the vibes. If the vibes are high, the decisions will be made. Just figuring it out day by day.”
Are the vibes still high where Chicago is concerned? We’ll see.
Khalil Mack Predicted to Head Back to NFC North in 2026 Free Agency