With Khalil Mack possibly retiring or leaving in free agency, the Chargers face a major pass rush question. Re-signing Odafe Oweh, developing Tuli Tuipulotu, and drafting an edge rusher could determine whether the defense remains a strength or becomes a weakness.
The future of Khalil Mack is one of the biggest questions facing the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. Mack is set to hit free agency, and there is a very real possibility he could decide to retire rather than return for another season. Even if he doesn’t retire, there’s no guarantee he’ll be back in powder blue. At 35 years old, Mack still played at a high level, but the Chargers have to prepare for the possibility that his time with the team—and possibly in the NFL—is over.
If Mack doesn’t return, the ripple effects will be massive. He wasn’t just productive; he was the tone-setter for the defense. His presence demanded attention from opposing offensive lines, which made life easier for everyone else. Without him, the Chargers would be losing their most reliable pass rusher and one of their defensive leaders overnight.
The good news is the Chargers are not starting from scratch. Tuli Tuipulotu has already shown he can be a key part of the future. He took a major step forward and proved he can consistently generate pressure. Tuli plays with relentless effort and has a natural feel for getting after the quarterback. But asking him to immediately replace Mack as the primary edge threat would be a lot. He’s ready for a bigger role, but he’s still developing.
This is where the draft becomes extremely important. The Chargers should strongly consider using an early pick on an edge rusher. The pass rush is too important in today’s NFL to leave it as a question mark. You can’t expect to compete with elite quarterbacks unless you can disrupt them consistently. Drafting a young edge rusher would not only help replace Mack’s production but also give the Chargers a long-term building block alongside Tuipulotu.
Another major factor is free agency, and this is where re-signing Odafe Oweh becomes even more critical. Oweh has the athleticism and upside to be a difference-maker, and bringing him back would soften the blow of losing Mack. If Mack leaves and Oweh isn’t retained, suddenly the Chargers would be looking at a major void on the edge. That’s not a position you want to be scrambling to fix after the fact.
Ultimately, this offseason could define the direction of the Chargers’ defense. Mack has been the anchor, and losing him would mark the end of an era. But it would also be an opportunity to get younger and build a pass rush that can grow together over the next several years.
The Chargers have the cap space and draft capital to address the position properly. The worst thing they could do is assume they’ll be fine without making meaningful additions. If Mack doesn’t return, the plan should be clear: re-sign Oweh, draft an edge rusher early and fully commit to Tuipulotu’s development.
Replacing a player like Khalil Mack isn’t easy. But if the Chargers handle it the right way, they can make sure the pass rush remains a strength instead of becoming a weakness.