As Khalil Mack went down with an apparent arm injury in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 2 matchup, the outlook immediately seemed grim given his undeniable importance to their defense.
Now, although the team has gotten a positive update on Mack's condition, a free agent that could have given them serious depth, veteran pass rusher Preston Smith, has now signed with the Washington Commanders, meaning the team will now either need to pivot or weather the storm in Mack's absence.
With a general lack of depth at edge rusher and in their outside linebacker room, Los Angeles could have benefitted highly from Smith's services, and, now, it remains to be seen whether they will make a signing to bolster their depth as the season progresses.
Preston Smith would have been the perfect piece in Khalil Mack's absence
Smith, after ten seasons between the Commanders, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, remained unsigned as the season began despite his continued viability as a rotational pass rusher. Last season, through 17 games, Smith accumulated 4.5 sacks along with six QB hits and five tackles for loss.
Moreover, his stated preference to play in a 3-4 defense would have made him the perfect addition for the Chargers as they attempt to plug the holes in their roster following Mack's injury.
Beyond Mack's counterpart, Tuli Tuipulotu, Los Angeles should have serious concerns about their lack of depth. Although veteran linebacker Bud Dupree has looked solid in a rotational role, it is likely that his athletic ability has declined to the point where he can no longer be a game-changing pass rusher. Beyond that, youngsters Caleb Murphy and Kyle Kennard both remain largely unproven, and Kennard has been a healthy scratch in each of the team's first two games.
An option the team does still have to add depth to this position is Shaq Barrett, who spent the last six seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and remains a free agent heading into Week 3.
Although he only played in one game last season, he accumulated 4.5 sacks and nine QB hits in 2023, and, depending on how much he has left in the tank, he could be a solid depth addition not just throughout Mack's absence but beyond it as well.
At the same time, Mack is likely to return to play in just a few weeks, and, if the Chargers so chose, they can depend on Dupree and Tuipulotu to help them get by. Yet, given the already existing need for depth at the position, Los Angeles may have missed a golden opportunity by allowing Smith to go to the Commanders.