The 30 biggest NFL storylines of the 2020 season

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens gestures during the first half against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 29: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears walks out of the tunnel during pregame warmups before playing the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

18. Khalil Mack — A Return to Dominance?

The Chicago Bears need Khalil Mack to be an MVP candidate as a defensive player. The Bears are paying Mack an amount worthy of such an expectation. Mack certainly wasn’t bad in 2019, but he did register his smallest sack total since 2014 with 8.5 sacks.

His team does not have the offensive talent to perform the lion’s share of the work. Historically in the Windy City, the Bears defense is on the marquee, and that’s probably because they pay guys like Mack $141 million.

There’s too much uncertainty for the Bears at the quarterback position for Mack to have another “down” year. He must again sponsor gridiron terrorism as he did from 2015-18.

17. Can we please give a defensive player an MVP award? Aaron Donald, perhaps.

The aforementioned Mack is worthy in some years of MVP consideration. Donald merits MVP attention every year (especially 2018).

Can the NFL shatter its offensive favoritism and award an MVP trophy to a defensive player? Yes, offensive output drives fantasy footballers wild, but defense is inarguably and equally as important in every football game.

A defensive player like Aaron Donald — or someone that emulates his production — needs to win an MVP award for the first time since 1986 when Lawrence Taylor won it. We are ready.

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