Khalil Mack sighed Sunday as he settled into his chair at the front of the Halas Hall media room, allowing himself a moment to collect himself during a 48-hour span of upheaval.
He went from Raiders holdout to Bears outside linebacker and the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
Now, for Mack, comes the next exciting step.
"I really can't wait. I'm itching," Mack told reporters. "It's been a long time since I've played football."
It seemed Mack still was processing how his world has changed. His prevailing emotion, though, was excitement. Not exactly surprising for a man who earlier Sunday signed a six-year, $141 million contract that includes $90 million guaranteed.
As he opened to his new surroundings, he appreciated how the Bears welcomed him with that contract.
"To be wanted, yeah, that's all it takes," Mack said. "That feeling that they're excited to have you. Just understanding what's going on right here right now, it's an exciting time to be a Chicago Bear. You've got young talent. And on the defensive side of the ball, you definitely have some dogs. I'm looking forward to getting out there with those dogs."
Mack lamented not having time to say a proper farewell to his Raiders teammates. He made no promises about what Bears fans should expect, instead referring to his decorated resume and his work ethic.
And he acknowledged the pressure that comes with being the highest paid defender in league history.
"I'd be lying if I told you there weren't," Mack said. "But just based on how hard I work and how hard I play, I want to be able to go out and show why. That's just me. I've always thought of myself as the best defensive player in the league. I want to be the best at what I do. That's just me. That's what comes with Mack."
His introductory press conference was just one line on a packed itinerary. In arriving at team headquarters, he had to meet coaches, teammates, get his playbook and fulfill several media and promotional obligations.
His focus through all that, though, is getting ready to play as soon as possible. After all, the clock is ticking down toward next Sunday night's kickoff against the Packers.
"I feel like I'm ready, but the game _ you've got to get out there and get to it," said Mack, who held out the entire preseason. "My body will respond the way it's going to respond. We're going to figure it out."
Coach Matt Nagy emphasized the Bears will be deliberate _ smart, in his words _ in getting Mack into football shape, just as they have been with holdout Roquan Smith.
Asked to characterize Mack's chances of playing against the Packers, Nagy said: "Hopefully pretty good. We're going to do everything we can to get him to a point where he can play."
