Any NFL fan knows who Khalil Mack is. A ferocious defensive lineman, likely in the top three in the entire league, that most recently played for the Oakland Raiders. In short, he's a brute. A load.
But he couldn't seem to come to terms on a new contract with the Raiders while holding out through training camp and the exhibition games. New Oakland head coach Jon Gruden -- underestimate him at your own peril -- didn't seem particularly concerned about it.
So off Mack went to the Chicago Bears, along with a second round draft choice. In return, the Raiders got two #1 picks, and a couple others.
It could be argued which team got the better deal, but it's done.
Enter the Detroit Lions.
In recent years, though the Lions have been far from serious contenders, at least they had the luxury of having the Bears on their schedule twice a year. And for the most part, Detroit has owned them. Typically, two gimme wins.
But this trade changes things.
The Lions, still rebuilding (when are they not?), will feature an offensive line very much in flux. Saying it's iffy would be an understatement. A rookie here, an aging veteran there that has a history of health problems, and a few other guys, where nobody seems to know who will play which position. All in all, not a very good scenario.
And last year, quarterback Matthew Stafford got sacked more than any other QB around the league.
Add one Khalil Mack to the Bears coming after the Georgia peach on every passing play, and dear Matthew will have one more serious headache to contend with. It's almost a miracle the former "China doll" has lasted this long as it is.
Those two former "gimmes" against the Bears might have just turned into definite "maybes".
Cuz you just know, Mack having gone to a new team, with a whopper contract to boot, will want to come out and prove himself. If only to prove the Raiders wrong.
The guess here is -- Matthew Stafford didn't like that trade one bit.
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