Monday 3 September 2018 11:28, UK
Khalil Mack has become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history following his trade to the Chicago Bears from the Oakland Raiders.
Just hours after he completed his blockbuster switch to the Bears, Mack agreed a record deal surpassing Aaron Donald's LA Rams contract which was agreed earlier this week.
It includes a six-year, $141m extension ($23.5m per year on average), including $90m which is guaranteed along with $60m at his signing.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the trade on Saturday afternoon, confirming that the Bears had been given permission to begin negotiating a deal with 27-year-old Mack on Friday while the finer points of the trade were finalised by the two teams.
Mack was Oakland's fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 draft and made three Pro Bowls, as well as being named Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
However, with his rookie contract entering its final year, contract negotiations had been at a stand-off for some time, with NFL insiders reporting that there had been no talks between Mack's representatives and the Raiders since February.
News of Donald's record-breaking contract in Los Angeles was thought to be the trigger as to whether any deal between the Raiders and Mack would get done - but it was the opposite that transpired.
Mack was due to make $13.85m in Oakland this season but had not reported for training as he held out on the contract that should now make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defenders.
Trade talk had been hotting up, with New York Jets and Cleveland Browns also thought to be in the market for the 27-year-old defensive end, who had 10.5 sacks last season.
But on Saturday, it was the Bears that emerged as the team prepared to offer Oakland the huge price of two first-round draft picks, plus an as yet unnamed player.
The move has completed a huge turnaround in Chicago during the off-season, with first-year head coach Matt Nagy replacing John Fox and the team acquiring a host of offensive talent in Trey Burton, Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, while seeking additional defensive support.
The news comes just four days after the Green Bay Packers gave QB Aaron Rodgers the biggest contract in league history - a deal which could be worth up to $180m over the next six years.
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