Chargers EDGE Khalil Mack re-signed with the Chargers on a one year, $18 million deal this offseason. He's back in the fold with running mate Tuli Tuipulotu. Behind them, the Chargers drafted first-round EDGE Akheem Mesidor to complete their trio.
But what are realistic expectations for Mack? Mack turned 35 in February and is coming off of what I'd call a solid season. But he has yet to match his pass rushing highs from his first two seasons with Los Angeles. In 2024 and 2025, Mack had a combined 88 pressures with 11.5 sacks. In 2022 and 2023, Mack put up a combined 144 pressures with 25 sacks.
Will Khalil Mack have a resurgent season that rivals his prime with the Chargers in 2026?
Mack is still an elite run defender. He is one of the most complete EDGE players in the game. But even taking into account his freak elbow injury last season or 2024's groin injury, the pass rushing production has come down back to earth. And that's normal: it's an unrealistic expectation for a 35 year old Mack to have a DPOY level season again.
But the question becomes will the rest of the pass rushers make up the difference around him? Tuli Tuipulotu having a 13-sack season again would certainly help. Mesidor's potential is probably an Odafe Oweh production level ceiling in 2026, but that's still a lot to put on a rookie. The Chargers at least have solid depth at edge rusher. But what if Mack were to turn back the clock and pick up some more pass rush production himself?
That's what Ian Rapoport believes could happen. The NFL insider discussed the possibility of a bigger Mack pass rushing season than many expect:
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Khalil Mack seems primed to turn back the clock with the #Chargers this year. pic.twitter.com/akvRK4MVAd
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2026
"When I was at Chargers camp, the buzz I got from Khalil Mack was that he's getting ready to have an insane season," Rapoport said. "The kind of freak that they are talking about him being, the kind of shape he is in, what his body can do athletically compared to his age-I know last year he was dinged up a little bit, didn't play all the games. Still had 5.5 sacks...6 the year before."
"But based on the work he put in camp, it looks like Khalil Mack is getting ready to go off and turn back the clock a little bit," Rapoport said. "Which if that is the case for this really, really good Chargers defense-he may not even be close to being done despite going into his upper 30s."
If Mack potentially finds his 2023 form again, it would be an incredibly scary Chargers' defense with an elite EDGE tandem. In what could be his last season, one imagines Mack wants one last shot at a Super Bowl. A return to 10+ sack seasons for the 35 year old vet would be quite the positive turn of events for the Chargers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google