Key Highlights
- Khalil Mack will play in 2026 after considering retirement.
- Mack is set to be an unrestricted free agent for the second time.
- The Los Angeles Chargers hope to re-sign Mack, as they did last year.
- When healthy, Mack was a key difference-maker on the Chargers’ defense.
The Decision that Changed Everything
You might think this is new, but… it’s been there all along. Khalil Mack, nine-time Pro Bowl pass rusher and one of the most decorated outside linebackers in NFL history, is set to play in 2026 after mulling retirement.
Mack’s Journey
Khalil Mack was selected with the fifth pick in the 2014 draft by the Raiders. He spent his first four seasons there before being traded to the Chicago Bears at the beginning of the 2018 campaign and then dealt to the Chargers in 2022. His 113 career sacks rank seventh among active players, a testament to his skill on the field.
The Impact
When healthy, Mack was still a difference-maker on the Chargers’ defense. In the four weeks without him last season, 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—they allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards (1,046).
The Future
Mack had hoped to win his first playoff game and make a run to the Super Bowl with the Chargers. But he fell to 0-6 in the postseason with L.A.’s loss to the New England Patriots.
“I want to ultimately be a champion,” Mack said at his end-of-season news conference, reflecting on his desire for success.
The Los Angeles Chargers hope to re-sign Mack as they did last year. His 5.5 sacks in 2025 were the second-lowest mark of his career, partly due to an elbow injury that sidelined him for four games. Despite this, he was still a valuable asset when on the field.
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The Market
When unrestricted free agency hits in 2026, Mack will have his pick. The market for defensive players is always competitive, and he could end up with a new team or stay with the Chargers.
You might think this decision is new, but it’s actually a continuation of what we’ve seen from Khalil Mack over the years—his dedication to football and his desire to compete at the highest level. The writing on the wall has been there for some time now.
