Khalil Mack Will Consider NFL Retirement After Chargers' Playoff Loss to Texans

After the Los Angeles Chargers' devastating 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round, linebacker Khalil Mack is considering retirement after an 11-year NFL career.

"Man, it's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now," Mack told reporters after the loss. "I can't really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I'm going to do because I don't know if I'm going to play football moving forward, so there's some things I gotta talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss."

Mack has played for two other teams in addition to the Chargers: the Chicago Bears and the then-Oakland Raiders.

Mack recorded 20 solo tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles during the 2024-25 season, helping the Chargers to an 11-6 record.

The Chargers' postseason appearance began with high expectations but ended in disappointment as they suffered a staggering loss to the Texans, being outscored 22-6 in the second half—a blow that hit Mack especially hard.

"I can't make this situation about myself, man, even though selfishly you feel like, 'Damn,' you know what I'm saying? 'This was the one,'" Mack said.

The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year has lost all five of his playoff appearances, making the decision to return even more challenging. Mack has expressed a desire to achieve team success in Year 12, but he plans to consult with his family, including his two young sons, aged two and three, whose needs may take precedence, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.

Mack has not set a timeline for his decision, per Rhim, but believes his best chance at achieving team success is with the Chargers.

"As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback. You got Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football and Jim Harbaugh coaching?" Mack told reporters. "You know you always have a chance to win. Yeah, that's a no-brainer."

James is fully supportive of Mack's return, hoping he can make one more playoff run with the team at 33 years old.

"I told him we want him back, we need him back, " James said.