Khalil Mack will not be retiring after the 2024 season after all and LA Chargers fans are hoping he returns to Los Angeles to don the powder blue. Mack has never been an unrestricted free agent in his NFL career so the process may become drawn out as Mack gets picky with his next team.
At this stage in his career, Mack likely values winning above all else considering he does not have a single playoff win on his resume. For that reason, the Detroit Lions, who need another edge rusher and are among the top contenders in the sport, have emerged as a potential threat to sign Mack away.
The Lions are not the only NFC contender that makes sense for Mack on paper, though. Tyler Brooke of 33rd Team recently broke down the best fits for every top free agent this offseason and penciled in a Los Angeles team as the best fit for Mack... just not the Chargers.
"While the Los Angeles Rams don't have a glaring need for another EDGE given their youth at the position, an aging mentor willing to take a short-term deal could help with the long-term development of players like Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young," Brooke explained. "Meanwhile, he could stay fresh in a rotation instead of having to be leaned on heavily as a full-time starter at his age."
Rams circled as "best fit" to sign Khalil Mack away from the Chargers
The Rams definitely make sense on paper as a team that could lure Mack away from the Chargers this offseason. As it stands right now, the Rams have $38.26 million in projected cap space with the means to create more cap space if needed.
According to Over The Cap, the Rams could create another $56.9 million in cap space just with simple contract restructures this offseason. This gives the team a ceiling of $92.5 million in cap space just with restructures, which is 13th in the league (and more than the Chargers, who have more cap space but far less restructure potential).
Money wouldn't be an issue for the Rams and they check the box of being a contending team for Mack to make a run at the Super Bowl. The Rams and Chargers are on a similar tier entering next season but with less top-tier contenders in the NFC, the path to the Super Bowl does appear easier for the Rams.
Plus, there is the added bonus of Mack not having to relocate himself or his family if he were to sign with the Rams. That could be a tiebreaker if he was deciding between the Rams and Lions, for example.
Ultimately, the ball is in Mack's court because the Chargers would likely match any offer the Rams sent Mack's way this offseason. From there, it would solely be about which team Mack thinks he has a better chance of winning the Super Bowl with.
Hopefully, after getting one year of the Jim Harbaugh experience, Mack chooses the Chargers.