The LA Chargers' big win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night was slightly deflated when Khalil Mack suffered a scary-looking arm injury. Based on the optics, Chargers fans are expecting the worst.
It seems inevitable that Mack will miss time because of the injury. The question is not if he will miss time, but how much time he will miss. With the Chargers having Super Bowl aspirations, it's important they attempt to fill the void left behind by his injury.
The Chargers didn't bring in any established NFL talent to replace Joey Bosa after cutting him, and with Mack now on the shelf, it's time to add someone. The options aren't as good as they were six months ago, but there are options.
3 edge rushers the Chargers can add after Khalil Mack's injury:
Preston Smith
Editor's note: Preston Smith signed with the Washington Commanders.
Preston Smith was the first name that jumped out as a Khalil Mack replacement when the injury happened. The 32-year-old edge rusher remains unsigned after being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and still has some gas left in the tank.
Smith is on the record in saying that he prefers to play in a 3-4 defense, making him a perfect schematic fit for Jesse Minter's squad. And while he certainly won't come close to replicating Mack, he can provide valuable depth that is so desperately needed with Mack out of commission.
The 2015 second-round pick was serviceable last season, recording eight quarterback pressures in 90 pass-rushing snaps while being a solid run defender. The year prior, Smith recorded 45 pressures in 419 pass-rushing snaps with a 74.3 run defense grade on Pro Football Focus.
Two years can be a long time in the NFL, but in a role where the Chargers can pick Smith's spots, he clearly has some value to add to the defense.
Shaq Barrett
Shaq Barrett came out of retirement last season only to be released by the Miami Dolphins so he could re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barrett's mind was set on playing for Tampa Bay, and with the Bucs not needing his presence in the offseason, he remains a free agent.
This may seem like a nonstarter due to Barrett's commitment to play for Tampa Bay or nobody last season but the door is open for him to join the Chargers. His agent said during the offseason that Barrett would definitely play in 2025, and didn't rule out him joining another team.
If there was ever a team to join it's the Chargers, who legitimately look like a real Super Bowl contender after the first two weeks of the season. Barrett would get to play for one of the most respected coaches in the league while competing for a coveted Super Bowl ring.
Barrett wasn't as impressive as Smith in 2024 but he has experienced higher highs in recent years. He recorded a whopping 56 quarterback pressures in 2023.
D.J. Wonnum
Trying to find an edge rusher the Chargers can actually trade for is difficult. The big fish are already off the market and now that the season has started, the team isn't going to get anyone from a team that has any kind of expectations this season.
Of the potential options, Carolina's D.J. Wonnum is probably the most realistic. The Panthers are 0-2 to start the season and should be in the business of adding future draft capital by trading veterans on expiring deals.
Wonnum has been fine with the Panthers. Good enough to give the Chargers the depth they need but not too good where it will cost an arm and a leg to trade for him. He is the perfect intersection of impact and affordability.
Plus, Wonnum's snaps are blocking 2024 second-round pick Nic Scrouton from playing more. By trading Wonnum, the Panthers would not only acquire more draft capital but would open the door for Scrouton to play more to see what he really has.