Khalil Mack will not test free agency ahead of the 2026 season. He will instead remain in place with the Chargers for next year. 
Mack has agreed to a one-year deal with Los Angeles, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Bolts will retain at least one of their two high-profile edge rushers as a result of this news. Mack has been in place with the team since 2022. This latest re-signing is now official, per a team announcement.
Retirement was once again a talking point at the end of this past season. It was reported earlier this month, however, that Mack planned on playing in 2026. That will indeed be the case. A re-signing was mentioned as a likely scenario in this case, so today’s news comes as little surprise.
During each of his first three Chargers seasons, Mack earned a Pro Bowl nod (bringing his career total to nine). He set a new career high in sacks with 17 in 2023, and upon arrival new general manager Joe Hortiz made it a priority to keep him in the fold. Mack played on a one-year, $19MM pact in 2024, and he did the same on a deal worth $1MM less the following season. Both of those contracts were fully guaranteed.
Team and player have worked out the same arrangement this time around. This is once again a fully guaranteed accord valued at $18MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. That includes a $10MM signing bonus (h/t Over the Cap). Los Angeles will have Mack in the fold as a key figure in the pass rush department while Tuli Tuipulotu plays out the final year of his rookie contract. The latter earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2025 and if/when an extension is signed in his case, it will bring about a major raise.
Mack was limited to 12 games this past year, but he has largely remained durable during his Chargers tenure. With 11.5 sacks since 2024, expectations will remain high for at least steady production along the edge in this case. The former Defensive Player of the Year has racked up 113 career sacks, good for 28th all time. Only six active players have more, and a move into the top 25 will be within reach.
Attention will now turn to the matter of fellow Chargers edge rusher Odafe Oweh. He is currently one of the top pending free agents among pass rushers, and a first career trip to the open market looms. Hortiz has expressed a desire to retain not only Mack but Oweh as well. It will be interesting to see if he manages to do so, something which could be feasible given the Chargers’ healthy cap situation.
Nooooo
Another no brainer move.
Mack has been solid, and signing him to one year deals each year ensures they don’t have to worry past that year if he starts to fall off.
What he brings on the field and in the locker room has value. His cost is a pinch much yet it’s what one expects for such a player to resign.
Hoping they can pay Oweh and keep him from going back to the Ravens where he might team up with Crosby to form quite a tandem. Would prefer that duo to be Oweh and Tuli!
@Jo.2. I think the chargers will let Oweh walk for a comp pick. He could very well get them a third rounder. At the end of day he costed Gillman and a 4th and fifth. The trade wasn’t that crazy. I can see them going after chubb.
At 35 years old and missing games last year, a one year signing is good for the team. 18 million not bad for him either. Age is catching up with him but he still has lots to offer. Sacks are down but his disruptive power and passion are good for the team.
@hawktattoo. He just gives the other players opportunities to get sacks. Teams still have to worry about him. Plus I think the injury had alot to do with production slipping.
Do agree..he still has that disruptive power and draws away from other team defenders. Does open up opportunities for others. Age is catching up but still plenty in the tank I think.
He’s only had one double digit sack season in what, the last 8 years? I’ll give him credit for being a good run stopper still, but wouldn’t expect many QB pressures/sacks from him. His days of being a game wrecker are long gone.