Khalil Mack made a surprising revelation on a recent podcast when he said that the Raiders were not willing to trade him to the 49ers – even if the San Francisco team had submitted the best offer.
The Bears linebacker hinted that the 49ers were interested in him, despite being longshots for his services from the Raiders traded him to Chicago in 2018.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 is currently with the LA Chargers having joined last year.
The seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team said, “And then you see they sent me to Chicago, which perceivably was supposed to be the worse option,” Mack said.
“I thought San Fran was one of the top offers, I feel like they offered technically the best deal, but they wouldn’t take it from San Fran because they knew the potential of what could be or what could happen,” he added.
This was further confirmed by 49ers general manager John Lynch said on The Game that he believes San Francisco made the best offer.
“I continue to (believe that we offered more for Mack),” said four years ago.
“That, at times, leads me to believe, were we ever in consideration?” he postulated.
“I understand the thought of sending him right across The Bay … I don’t know how they factored in … but it is what it is,” he concluded.
Mack was the fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft, signing for the Raiders and spending three years in Oakland.
He has 84.5 sacks, 519 total tackles and 25 forced fumbles and if he continues to front up there is no reason why he can’t pick up a few more awards, and rewards down the line – even if it is not in San Francisco.
