Khalil Mack will be back for 2026.
According to national insider Ian Rapoport, the Chargers defensive end has decided that he will suit up for the upcoming season.
Now the only question remaining is; who will he be playing for?
The Chargers are expected to be the most aggressive suitors when it comes to retaining Mack.
In four years with the team, he’s posted 36.5 sacks — including a career-high 17 in 2023 — 161 tackles and 13 forced fumbles. He’s been healthy for the most part, playing at least 16 games in his first three seasons before playing just 12 last year.
Among the other contenders who should be vying for Mack’s services are the Bears, Bengals and Lions.
A return to Chicago makes sense as the Bears, under second-year head coach Ben Johnson, appear to be one of the best teams in the NFC and need help at the defensive line. Rumors have spread that the Bengals could trade All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, so bringing in Mack as a replacement is in the cards. And the Lions are trying to prove they’re still contenders in the NFC so paring Mack alongside Aidan Hutchinson is enticing.
However, a return to the Chargers makes the most sense for all parties involved.
Mack has loved his time with the organization and is held in high-regard by everyone. Los Angeles is bringing in Chris O’Leary as defensive coordinator (former DC Jesse Minter is now head coach of the Ravens) so giving him a piece like Mack to play around with is a good recipe for success.
Four years ago, Los Angeles — looking to make a big move to help a struggling defense — made a huge move when they traded a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick to the Bears in exchange for Mack. At the time, the trade was viewed aa a massive win for the Chargers because it would pair Mack with edge Joey Bosa, forming arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the league.
That never came to fruition as Bosa struggled with injuries throughout his career before being cut by Los Angeles following the 2024 season.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
