Report: Raiders contacted Bears about trading Mack back

The Las Vegas Raiders' offseason pursuit for a high-profile edge rusher could've led them back to Khalil Mack.

Las Vegas reached out to the Chicago Bears in March about a potential trade for Mack, sources told The Athletic's Vic Tafur.

The club believed inquiring about the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year was worth a shot due to Chicago's salary-cap issues, but the Bears expressed no interest, adds Tafur.

The Raiders, who drafted Mack fifth overall in 2014, dealt the six-time Pro Bowler to Chicago prior to the 2018 season in exchange for a package including two first-round picks. Mack, who held out of all Raiders activities while seeking a new deal before the trade, signed a six-year, $141-million extension with the Bears shortly after the move.

Las Vegas, which amassed only 21 sacks last season, signed free-agent defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to a two-year deal in March in order to bolster its pass rush.

Chicago cut two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller and restructured several contracts, including Mack's, because of the team's tight salary-cap situation.

Mack, who racked up nine sacks and three forced fumbles in 2020, will face his former team in October as the Raiders host the Bears in Week 5.