Chicago Bears: Chargers HC changes tune on trading amid Khalil Mack rumors

The Chicago Bears have been linked to Khalil Mack both before and after general manager Ryan Poles sent two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for Jeffery Simmons.

The hold-up had been the Los Angeles Chargers, who wanted to win a game before the trade deadline, as general manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to stay as competitive as possible despite a winless start. Harbaugh said in previous press conferences that he did not want to trade players as the team searched for win No. 1.

Following the Chargers’ 44-22 blowout loss to the Houston Texans, Harbaugh appears to have changed his tune after an 0-8 start before Tuesday’s trade deadline. He told reporters that Hortiz would be “open and active” before the deadline “if something makes sense” for the Chargers. He cautioned that earlier trade proposals didn’t fit that criteria.

“A couple have been brought up that hadn’t made any sense to him,” Harbaugh said of Hortiz, via Noah Furtado of The Athletic. “Didn’t make any sense to me either.”

Could the Chargers send Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears?

It’s unclear if Harbaugh was talking about the player or the offered trade package. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Mack have both been speculated about this fall. Harbaugh said he likes having Mack on the team. The edge is a key leader on the defense.

However, that defense just gave up 44 points to the Texans, allowing CJ Stroud to throw for five touchdown passes.

The Chargers have to be realistic about where they’re at on Tuesday. Los Angeles will miss the playoffs. Hortiz needs draft capital to reload for 2027.

Then again, maybe Hortiz would prefer not to stack the deck for a potential new GM. The Indianapolis Colts are having a fire sale before Tuesday in a bid to make their vacant Gm job more appealing to candidates.

Why would Hortiz want to do the same unless ownership steps in?

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