The Los Angeles Chargers star pass rusher has plans to return after mulling over retiring, but is set to be a free agent.
After considering retirement, nine-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack has decided to return to play for 2026 for the 13th NFL season of his career. However, the Los Angeles Chargers star is set to become an unrestricted free agent, something that’s only happened once before in his 12-year career, and plans to explore all options, according to ESPN. Certainly, the Chargers hope that his exploration starts and ends with a decision to re-sign with them, just as Mack did last year. It wasn’t the most prolific season of Mack’s career, recording 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 42 pressures, and four forced fumbles in 12 games for Los Angeles – his sack total was the second lowest of his career.
However, the 35-year-old was dealing with an elbow injury that kept him out for four games and partially contributed to his down year. It certainly didn’t come close to his 17-sack season in 2023. However, Mack is still an all-around pass rusher who can stuff the run, get to the passer, and generally garner attention from opposing o-linemen that can also help other Chargers defensive linemen get their jobs done. His 12 seasons of play also bring unparalleled experience and wisdom that Mack passes down to his teammates.
Here is the full story from Chargers Roundtable writer Nic Jennings on Mack’s decision and what Los Angeles hopes to return in him.
It’ll be a priority for the Bolts to keep their difference-maker when healthy. His absence in those four games directly correlated with the team allowing the sixth-most rush yards in the league during that stint. In the games he returned in from Weeks 7-18, when most starters didn’t play, the Chargers skyrocketed up to allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards in that span.