Los Angeles Chargers fans are certainly not in a mood to reminisce about the good times from the 2024 season, but it would be unfortunate if their crushing playoff loss to the Houston Texans overshadowed the great season Khalil Mack put up.
Mack was once again disruptive on the outside, teaming with Joey Bosa to create a hellish tandem that helped Jesse Minter create one of the best overall defenses in the league. Mack's best efforts, however, were unable to get Los Angeles to the second-round of the playoffs.
Considering what LA's books look like in the near future, it seems quite likely that Mack is going to need to find a new home in 2025. He and Bosa may already be saying their goodbyes to one another.
Mack and Bosa, both of whom took pay cuts to run it back with Jim Harbaugh for one more season in LA, were seen hugging one another and talking on the field for a long time after the game. There's a good chance that Mack, who will turn 34 in a few weeks, has played his last game as a charger.
Khalil Mack could be leaving Chargers after Joey Bosa gesture
Mack made the Pro Bowl for the ninth time in his 11-year career after amassing six sacks and playing more solid run defense. Unfortunately, he is an older player getting more expensive by the day, which could make it tough for the Chargers to keep the Bosa tag team together.
Luckily, second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu had performed quite well this season, amassing 8.5 sacks despite competing with both Mack and Bosa for snaps. LA won't have to splurge on a big-name pass rusher to replace him, which will allow them to attack their comical lack of offensive weapons.
Mack still has plenty of juice left in the tank, even if his days of double-digit sacks every year and blowing up double teams are behind him. Some contender will have a role for him, which is exactly what a player who could end up with a gold jacket at the end of his career deserves.
The fact Mack does not have a playoff win in his storied career is incredibly difficult to stomach, and LA's inability to help him get over the top makes that mark sting even more. Mack's Chargers legacy will remain a complicated one due to his lack of postseason success.