Mack: Extension with Chargers was “easy”; Seeks the ring in his 12th season

Khalil Mack: “I returned to the Chargers, it was an easy decision”

Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack, after considering retirement and evaluating other options in free agency, has confirmed that re-signing with the team was an “obvious” decision.

“Why not here, man?”, declared Mack after the Chargers’ minicamp.

Khalil Mack

Mack, 34, assured that, although he considered other alternatives, the decision to stay in Los Angeles was the most sensible, beyond the economic aspects.

“I had to be fair in my approach and not focus solely on finances and other things,” explained Mack, who signed a one-year contract for 18 million dollars fully guaranteed. “I tried to make it more about winning games.”

Khalil Mack

Winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award (2016) and one of the most outstanding outside linebackers in NFL history, Mack has had little luck in the playoffs, losing all five appearances in his career. The most recent defeat was in the wild card round of last season, when the Chargers fell 32-12 to the Houston Texans. Mack stated that his playoff history and the pursuit of a championship motivated him to return for his twelfth season.

“I just didn’t want to give up on that goal and that ambition that I have had since I entered the league,” Mack said. “I knew I wanted to play in important games and win a Super Bowl.”

Khalil Mack

In 2024, Mack experienced a decrease in his production with the Chargers, finishing with six sacks, the second-lowest total of his career. However, this could be related to injuries. Mack suffered a strain in both groins in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns. He missed a game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to the injury and played only 30 plays in two other games while managing it. Despite this, Mack led all Chargers players with a 13% pass rush win rate, earning him his ninth Pro Bowl appearance. He was a bright spot in Los Angeles’ playoff loss to the Houston Texans, finishing with two sacks and five quarterback pressures.

“It means everything,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said about Mack’s return. “Khalil is one of the best of all time, but really for the type of person he is, the type of leadership he brings.

Jesse Minter

Mack returns to the Chargers for his fourth season, but the first without his outside linebacker partner Joey Bosa, who was released and signed with the Buffalo Bills. However, the Chargers have third-year outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, who led the team with 8.5 sacks last season, and veteran Bud Dupree. Mack is expecting a great season from Tuipulotu.

“He has essentially been a star for the last three years, so I don’t think it’s going to be any different,” Mack said about Tuipulotu. “Just knowing how he’s approaching the game this year, how detailed he is and the technique, everything. It won’t be a surprise to me when he’s a 10, 12, or more sack guy.”

Khalil Mack