LAKE FOREST Akiem Hicks Color Rush Jersey , Ill. (AP) — Armed with a record extension after a blockbuster trade, Khalil Mack is looking forward to a fresh start with the Chicago Bears.The two-time All-Pro said he is “glad I’m here” and “blessed” after a contract holdout with the Oakland Raiders ended with the star pass rusher getting dealt in a massive move on Saturday.“It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been exciting,” Mack said Sunday. “It’s new and I’m looking forward to it. I really can’t wait. I’m itching. It’s been a long time since I played football.”He held out for the entire offseason and preseason trying to secure a long-term deal rather than play under the final year of his rookie contract that would have earned him $13.8 million.The Bears paid a big price, giving him a six-year, $141 million extension that guarantees $90 million. That made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, a day after the Rams’ Aaron Donald agreed to a six-year, $135 million deal, with $87 million guaranteed.Chicago sent Oakland first-round selections in 2019 and 2020, a sixth-rounder next year and a third-rounder in 2020. The Bears got a second-round selection in 2020 — which Pace called “a critical piece for us” — and a conditional fifth-rounder that year.Mack acknowledged there is “absolutely” pressure that comes with a huge contract.“But just based on how hard I worked and how hard I play, I want to be able to go out and show why — and that’s just me Bobby Massie Jersey ,” he said. “I’ve always thought of myself as the best defensive player in the league and I want to play like the best defensive player in the league. I want to be the best at what I do, and that’s just me. That’s what comes with Mack. Good response?”What he brings could be a game changer for a franchise with four straight last-place finishes in the NFC North. That’s why general manager Ryan Pace decided to check with Oakland if Mack might be available.“This is a premier player at a premier position, and this doesn’t come around that often,” Pace said. “So when it does come around, I’m just proud that I work for an organization that’s willing to be aggressive in these times, and that Matt and I have the support to be aggressive, and that starts with ownership.”The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Mack has played in every game since the Raiders drafted him fifth overall in 2014. He has 231 primary tackles, 40½ sacks and nine forced fumbles.Coach Matt Nagy wasn’t sure if Mack would play in the opener at Green Bay. But when he does suit up, a defense that ranked 10th overall last season figures to get a boost.The Bears have speed and athleticism on the edge with Mack and Leonard Floyd. They also believe they added a potential cornerstone player when they drafted inside linebacker Roquan Smith with the No. 8 overall pick.“Our goal from the start here has been to win the Super Bowl,” coach Matt Nagy said. “Now https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Adrian-Amos-Jersey , there’s ways to get to that. … So does this help us? You know, you would think, yeah, obviously it helps you, but how are we going to get to that point? There’s so many variables that go into it.”He’s glad he no longer has to worry about game planning to face Mack. Nagy got his fill going against him in the AFC West as a member of Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City.Mack’s arrival adds to the buzz that was already brewing around the Bears. They hired the offense-minded Nagy and brought in some playmaking targets for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, including former Jacksonville Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson.The Bears believe they have the QB and pass rusher they need to lift a franchise with one playoff appearance since the 2006 Super Bowl season.“You could say a lot of different things, but until I go out there and play, I’m not a big talker,” Mack said. “I like to go out and use my actions to speak, and when I get out there and get on the field, you can probably sense what’s going to happen. But I want to win Jordan Howard Color Rush Jersey , you know what I mean? Everybody wants to win. This team wants to win, and championship’s definitely the goal.”NOTES: To make room for Mack, Chicago released C Hroniss Grasu on Sunday. … The Bears placed TE Adam Shaheen (sprained ankle, foot) on injured reserve, though they expect him to return this season. Pace said Shaheen does not need surgery. … Chicago signed DL Nick Williams. DETROIT (AP)The Detroit Lions could enjoy the rest of their weekend, knowing their playoff hopes were still very much intact after a victory over Chicago on Saturday. On Sunday, however, the scores from around the league gave the Lions little reason for excitement. Victories by Carolina and New Orleans (10-4) left the Lions two games behind those teams with two to play. Detroit (8-6) is also a half-game behind Atlanta. The Lions lost earlier this season to the Panthers, Saints and Falcons, and Detroit has to beat out at least one of those NFC South teams if it’s going to make the playoffs as a wild card. Atlanta (8-5) plays Monday night, so for Lions fans Eddie Jackson Jersey , the scoreboard watching continues. ”You can’t look back,” receiver Golden Tate said after the win over Chicago. ”We just got to go out and get the next one, control what we can control.” Detroit’s schedule down the stretch has been manageable, and the Lions took advantage Saturday in their 20-10 victory over Chicago. Detroit is at Cincinnati (5-9) next weekend before hosting Green Bay to end the regular season. The Lions did pull even with Seattle (8-6) on Sunday when the Seahawks were routed 42-7 by the Rams, but even after that game, Detroit had only a 21 percent chance to make the postseason, according to fivethirtyeight.com. If the Lions win their final two games, their chance of making it would be around 50 percent. As much as the Lions try to keep their focus on their remaining games, it’s hard not to ponder what might have been. ”We did it to ourselves though,” tight end Eric Ebron said. ”We’ve got to fend for ourselves. That’s kind of how it works. That’s kind of how you play the game and you just roll with the punches. So, right now we’re just rolling with the punches and know what we’ve got to do.” Detroit’s loss to Atlanta in September stings in particular. The Lions had a last-second touchdown overturned after a review and lost that game 30-26 . The Falcons do have to play both Carolina and New Orleans in the final two weeks of the regular season https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Allen-Robinson-Jersey , but first Atlanta has a good chance to add another win at Tampa Bay on Monday night. For the Lions, meanwhile, winning out is no sure thing. Matthew Stafford had another efficient game Saturday, going 25 of 33 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. He’s completed 80.2 percent of his passes over the past three games, but the problems that have held the offense back haven’t really been solved. The Lions rushed for under 100 yards as a team against the Bears, and Stafford was sacked four times. Travis Swanson and Rick Wagner, two starters on the offensive line, were inactive. Detroit was able to overcome those issues against Chicago. Although the Lions were outgained, they had only one turnover and forced three. That was enough to beat the last-place Bears, but what Detroit can’t do is change the past – the key games the Lions lost earlier in the season against teams that are now standing between them and a playoff berth. —