As the Los Angeles Chargers prepare to face down the gauntlet that their last five regular season games represent, they also have a looming question that could come to define their offseason.
There is a real possibility that star edge rusher Khalil Mack considers retirement yet again this offseason, and, if he does, they must seriously consider how they wish to allocate their resources in reconstructing their pass rush.
Mack, this season, has amassed 4.5 sacks, seven QB hits and four tackles for loss across just eight games, and, needless to say, it would be a major loss for the Chargers were he to decide to hang up the cleats. With Tuli Tuipulotu ascending and Odafe Oweh set to enter the market, Los Angeles must use the rest of the season to determine what path they want to take this offseason.
Khalil Mack's retirement is becoming a real possibility for the Chargers
Last offseason, before he ultimately returned to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, it was reported that Mack was already considering retirement, only returning to the team with the hope of competing for a Super Bowl.
Given the way that the Chargers' offensive line has played this season, and the injury struggles the team has dealt with, it seems as though that dream has already gone out the window.
Therefore, Mack will have much to contemplate this offseason, and so will Los Angeles.
They have a major silver lining in the fact that Tuipulotu has emerged as an All-Pro caliber pass rusher, totalling 10 sacks, 16 QB hits and 16 tackles for loss in the 12 games he has played this season. Yet, beyond that, the Chargers' depth is relatively slim.
Odafe Oweh, who has proven to be a solid rotational pass rusher since the team acquired him from the Baltimore Ravens in a mid-season trade, is set to enter the open market after this season. Bud Dupree and Kyle Kennard have been essentially non-factors.
Moreover, while Trey Hendrickson represents the big fish on the market as far as edge rushers are concerned, the market is relatively slim beyond that, with the aging Joey Bosa and Haason Reddick representing the prime available defenders this offseason.
So much of the team's defensive identity is centered around their ability to manufacture pressure on the quarterback out of their 3-4 base defensive structure, and Mack, over the past few seasons, has been absolutely instrumental in that.
Thankfully, the Chargers will have excess cap space to address any glaring needs this offseason. Yet, given the transformation that the offensive line needs to undergo, these resources need to be allocated intentionally and carefully
Therefore, while it remains to be seen what Mack's ultimate decision on next season will be, Los Angeles will need to be prepared to re-construct their defense if it becomes necessary: a tall task given the current state of the market.