Khalil Mack’s impressive career is set to continue for at least another season, though at this moment it may not be with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Defensive Player of the Year is poised to enter free agency for the first time in his career.
During his three-year tenure with the Chargers, Mack has maintained a high level of performance, earning a Pro Bowl selection in each season. This brings his career total to nine Pro Bowl nods. Even at 34 years old, Mack’s consistent production suggests he will generate considerable interest in the free-agent market.
Jim Harbaugh Wants Los Angeles Chargers To “Pay The Man”
Both the team and their coach, Jim Harbaugh have expressed their desire to bring Mack back. Most recently, on an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, McAfee asked Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz where the negotiating stands. Hortiz started down the company line before being interrupted by Harbaugh…
“Pay the man, Joe. Pay him.”
The Chargers are actively pursuing a new contract with Mack before the start of the new league year, a point confirmed by Hortiz during a Tuesday press conference.
“Khalil has never been a free agent in his life and so it might be something where Khalil wants to just say, ‘Hey, I was a free agent, I did it and I came back to LA,’” Hortiz said via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. ” If it gets to that, that’s my hope.”
In his inaugural offseason, Hortiz faced the challenge of addressing the Chargers’ salary cap situation. This was largely achieved through the release of Mike Williams and the trade of Keenan Allen to the Bears. Instead of parting ways with Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa, Hortiz opted to retain both of the team’s premier edge rushers by restructuring their contracts. As a consequence, Joey Bosa is slated to carry a $36.47 million cap hit in 2025. Given that Bosa is set to become a free agent in 2026, many have speculated that releasing him would generate significant cap savings, making it a potentially viable option for the Chargers.
However, Hortiz has stated that he believes it is “realistic” for Los Angeles to keep the often-injured Pro Bowler under his current contract (via Rhim). Bosa played in 14 games last season, a positive development after being limited to five games in 2022 and nine in 2023. Having spent his entire nine-year career with the Chargers, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has earned Hortiz’s clear interest in retaining him. If Bosa remains with the team and Mack is re-signed, the Chargers will maintain veteran continuity along their defensive edge in 2025.
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