Football and baseball have a special relationship in Chicago. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is often asked for his take on the Cubs, and Joe Maddon always keeps up with the latest from Halas Hall.
So when Ryan Pace made the blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack this weekend, the Cubs manager had to weigh in.
"I think it really recreates their identity. The Bears have always been about defense, and who's more about defense than (Khalil Mack) right now?" -Joe Maddon on the Khalil Mack trade
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The Bears were focused on rebuilding the offense all offseason with plenty of money invested in new weapons for Mitchell Trubisky, but Maddon was astute to point out the gravity of adding Mack.
Fangio’s defense finished in the Top 10 in points and yards allowed last season and brought back nine of the 11 starters. Add Mack and Roquan Smith into the group, and it has the potential for greatness this season.
With an offensive head coach, the Bears may still have an identity on that side of the ball, but Mack is giving Maddon a lot more reason to be excited about great defense in Chicago once again.