The blockbuster trade of the season is having a ripple effect on the Bears. Khalil Mack mania is in full effect in Chicago, and optimism is the air.
Las Vegas is taking notice too. The Bears used to have 100-1 odds to win the Super Bowl this season. After the Mack trade, they more than doubled to 40-1 in the Westgate sportsbook.
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Mack will provide an instant impact at what was clearly the biggest need on the roster. Chicago was dealing with injuries and inexperience at outside linebacker, and the former Oakland Raider is a plug-and-play Pro Bowl talent.
It’s not often that a team can acquire the best player on its roster on September 1, but it’s no surprise that this time of move would boost the Bears’ odds.
He could single-handedly add another win or two this season as he provides a dynamic duo with Leonard Floyd on the edge. That may not be enough to make a Super Bowl run, but it could give Chicago a much better shot at a playoff push in Matt Nagy’s first season.