The Los Angeles Chargers seemed ready to part ways with both Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa this offseason, but Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz seem to have pivoted on a dime after one of their first big offseason moves was to keep half of this tandem together.
Mack proved over the last two seasons that his demise was greatly exaggerated, as he played a pivotal role in pulling the Chargers out of the doldrums and getting them back to the playoffs in Harbaugh's first season with the team. Despite looking like he was a goner, the Chargers swooped in at the eleventh hour to keep him in blue and gold.
Mack has agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal that will see him return to the Chargers for one last playoff push in 2025. Mack and second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu will play big roles in keeping the Chargers' defense ranked among the best of the best in the AFC.
Khalil Mack agrees to one-year contract with Chargers
Mack, who has recorded 107.5 career sacks in his 11-year career, tallied six sacks and made a Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his career. Even at his age, Mack played a huge role in turning new DC Jesse Minter's defense into one of the best in the league during his debut pro season.
Mack can still get the job done, as his 90.4 Pro Football Focus grade and 88.0 run defense grade show that his pass rush production and ability to set the age have not wavered one iota. If the Chargers had their hearts set on keeping one of either Mack or Bosa, No. 52 made the most sense.
If Herbert is able to keep growing as an elite quarterback, it stands to reason that LA will once again be in position to either make the playoffs as a wild card team or light a fire under the Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC West.
Bringing Mack back won't help him turn back the clock to his Defensive Player of the Year days, but it keeps an elite player and veteran leader in town for what should be a promising 2025 season.