In one of the biggest moves of 2018, Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders. But, as it turns out, Mack could have easily ended up playing with Bears’ big division rivals.
Green Bay Packers’ team president Mark Murphy recently admitted to 105.7 The FAN’s Gary Ellerson that his organization was “aggressive” in pursuing Mack when Raiders put him on the market. According to Murphy, the reason why Packers missed out on the former Defensive Player of the Year is that Oakland though Bears will have the better pick in 2019 NFL Draft.
“Well, the whole Khalil Mack thing. It’s not that we didn’t try,” – Murphy explained. “We were aggressive. We wanted to sign him. I think, ironically, the Raiders took the Bears offer because they thought they would be a better draft pick.”
Bears ended up having a far better season than Green Bay, which led to them sending No.24 pick to Oakland. On the other hand, Packers ended up with No.12 pick, and we think that Raiders are now regretting not dealing with them instead of Chicago.
After not getting Mack, Murphy decided to roll with the existing defense for 2018, opting out to address the issues this offseason. As a result, Packers landed several notable free agents on the defensive side of the ball, which includes signing safety Adrian Amos, outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and OL Preston Smith to big contracts.
