With close to 30 players set to enter some sort of free agency when the new League Year officially begins next month, the Los Angeles Chargers have plenty of decisions to make on who they'd like to attempt to bring back and who they'd have no problem letting walk out the door.
Two of the most high-profile names on that list are edge rushers Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh, and one would surmise that both would be in the group of those who would be welcomed back with open arms if things can be worked out on the financial side of things. But there's obviously also a scenario in which neither returns.
Mack, of course, turns 35 this Sunday and may opt for retirement in lieu of suiting up for a 13th NFL season. But even if he does decide to play in 2026, there's no guarantee he ends up with Los Angeles for a fourth season. And as for Oweh, who was an absolute terror for the Bolts after coming over from the Baltimore Ravens, he'll undoubtedly have a plethora of suitors vying for his services.
Now, if neither returns, it's not as if the Chargers are without a solid edge rusher, as they'll obviously still have Tuli Tuipulotu, who earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his young career after racking up 13.0 sacks, good for the sixth-most in the NFL. But if they wanted to add another one, Jim Harbaugh might have a shot at at reunion with one of his former Michigan players, as the Green Bay Packers could be looking to part ways with Rashan Gary.
Jim Harbaugh could consider a reunion with Rashan Gary if he's available
A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection for Harbaugh's Wolverines in 2017 and 2018, Gary was taken by the Packers in the first round of the 2019 draft with the 12th overall pick.
While the New Jersey native hasn't quite lived up to his draft status, earning just one Pro Bowl appearance, he's still had a solid seven-year career thus far, racking up 271 total tackles, 46 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, six passes defended, 111 QB hits, and 46.5 sacks.
Gary looked like he was on his way to a career year this past season, as he clearly benefitted from all the attention Micah Parsons demanded and tallied 7.5 sacks in his first seven games. Unfortunately for him and Green Bay as a whole, however, he had those same 7.5 sacks when the season ended.
That one stat certainly doesn't mean Gary doesn't have anything to offer the Chargers, but the glaring issue surrounding him right now is his salary, as his cap hit for the 2026 season is $28,021,135, according to Over The Cap, and rises to $31,021,138 in 2027. So, a trade should be off the table, as that's just too much money to take on for a good-not-great kind of a player.
However, there are plenty of rumors flying around that Gary could end up being a cap casualty. Yes, the Packers would take on a significant dead cap hit of more than $17 million, but they'd also create $42 million worth of cap space over the next two years.
So, if Gary is released, and the Chargers can start his contract from scratch, Harbaugh should certainly consider picking up the phone if things don't work out with Mack and/or Oweh.