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By Megan Armstrong
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The Los Angeles Chargers run the risk of feeling the pain of losing defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who agreed to be the Baltimore Ravens' head coach in January. They'd rather not have to replace a team captain, too. But, as of now, they might not have to.
According to ESPN's Kris Rhim, 35-year-old Khalil Mack has decided to play another season, even though he "had mulled retirement." Rhim additionally relayed that Mack "is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the second time in his 12-year NFL career and will explore all options," but the Chargers "hope" to re-sign Mack.
Mack signed a one-year, $18 million extension with Los Angeles last March.
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The Chicago Bears traded Mack, whom they had acquired from the then-Oakland Raiders via blockbuster trade in 2018, to the Chargers in March 2022. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Mack has been a team captain every season. He posted a career-high 17 sacks in 2023.
While he hasn't reached those heights again, he is crucial in defending the run game and can still get after the quarterback. Last season, while limited to 12 games by a dislocated elbow, Mack recorded 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and even one safety. As relayed by Rhim, "When healthy, he was still a difference-maker on the Chargers' defense. In the four weeks without Mack, L.A. allowed 579 yards rushing, sixth most in the NFL; from when he returned in Week 7 until Week 18 -- when most Chargers starters sat out -- L.A. allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards (1,046)."
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Mack has achieved everything a linebacker could achieve on a personal level: 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, nine Pro Bowls, and three All-Pro selections. But Mack is 0-6 in the playoffs. Most recently, the Chargers were whalloped 16-3 by New England in the AFC Wild Card round. After that loss, Mack explained to reporters why he might have regrets if he retired without a playoff win.
"I'm naturally a competitor," Mack said. "It's in me since I was a kid. I grew up with my two other brothers, and that's all I know, competition. Competing and trying to be the best. You want to ultimately be a champion."
With the NFL's new league year and free agency period officially opening on March 11, Mack figures to draw plenty of interest from contenders.
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