Both Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz have made their stances clear on keeping Khalil Mack a Charger this offseason. On the Pat McAfee show last week, Harbaugh hilariously egged on Hortiz to "pay the man".
On multiple occasions at the NFL Combine, Hortiz said that negotiations have been ongoing with Mack. But he's also noted the reality that Mack may very well want to test the open market come in just over a week.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler posted a few relevant updates regarding the potential Mack sweepstakes if he does hit free agency. Fowler specifically mentions the Bears and the Buccaneers as potential suitors for Mack. Here's Fowler's section of his article concerning the Chargers' star EDGE rusher:
"Teams agree edge rusher Khalil Mack played lights out last season, and the only real concern with his free agency is age (he's 34)," Fowler wrote. "A few people I've talked to have made potential connections to the Buccaneers and Bears. Tampa Bay typically doesn't spend big on external free agents but is looking for pass-rush help."
Bears and Buccaneers emerge as suitors for Chargers' Khalil Mack
The Chicago connections are obvious. Mack played four seasons there before being traded to Los Angeles in 2022. The former Bear made three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in four seasons with Chicago. As a young team on the rise, the Bears will look to continue building out their defense this offseason.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, consistently finds themselves in the NFL Playoffs. Would Mack feel like it's one of the few chances he'd have in adding playoff wins to his resume?
A particularly noteworthy section of Fowler's article is that teams around the league are still relatively high on Mack at 34. While Mack's pass rush production didn't live up to the standard of his 2023 season, he was still a dominant EDGE setter in the run game. He also still managed to get 52 pass rush pressures and six sacks with 26 run stops.
Mack will have plenty of time to decide his fate before the end of March. But the longer he continues to be available on the free-agent market, the more likely it is he leaves.
Hopefully, Hortiz and Harbaugh can get something done with their star pass rusher before the free agent tampering window opens in March.