How the Raiders-Bears Trade for Khalil Mack Changed the NFL: ‘It Was a Shock’

[{"selector":"#anim-ffa1f913-6427-461b-90cf-0b201ac10dc8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fbba1860-6445-4954-bd98-7f336220c960","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Khalil Mack's trade in 2018 reshaped NFL trading norms, setting a precedent for megatrades involving star players and multiple first-round picks.

[{"selector":"#anim-f3c88a2a-c68e-416d-8576-91e476dcec66","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee657cdd-cf72-4b6a-8a07-6e9ced80111b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Mack's move from the Raiders to the Bears for two first-round picks marked a significant shift in NFL trade strategies after years of reluctance.

[{"selector":"#anim-db976535-75ad-4a8f-b577-451366e7a1c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cfadcd4-75d4-48ab-80c6-deb6ceda26f4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The impact of Mack's trade reverberated across the league, prompting subsequent megatrades involving top-tier talents like Jalen Ramsey and Jamal Adams.

[{"selector":"#anim-d3a0074d-8665-4b7e-ba7e-f8ebfed402bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd0354d9-4d15-4205-b04a-95935f2973d2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The trend of megatrades continued with quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson fetching multiple first-round picks.

[{"selector":"#anim-995b356d-11de-4853-bea3-790225b412cd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0162d28-81b2-4344-b91a-a719b4a6031d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Mack reflects on the business aspect of football, acknowledging that players may seek new opportunities if teams are unwilling to meet their financial demands.

[{"selector":"#anim-4db96e95-c3e4-4730-a6fd-0db6b96944ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d96290c9-fb05-4f18-8f91-c2b64afab0ea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The flurry of megatrades underscores the evolving dynamics of player acquisitions in the NFL, where top talents command steep prices in draft capital.

[{"selector":"#anim-66279564-50d3-4a3b-9204-4624e391333f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9376867-4d5c-4cd4-af16-48e0d1d355ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Mack's journey from the Raiders to the Chargers symbolizes the fluidity of player movement in today's NFL, where star players often find new homes.

[{"selector":"#anim-2efdbb6f-8e0a-4667-9282-772d48af5b30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4640058d-6818-4aff-b31e-ef5363326ebe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The trade landscape in the NFL has shifted dramatically since Mack's departure, showcasing a willingness among teams to invest heavily in proven ta lent.