Khalil Mack Reportedly Plans to Play in 2026 Amid Retirement Buzz, Top Landing Spots for Chargers FA

Khalil Mack is running it back.

The veteran edge-rusher is reportedly planning to play in the 2026 season and is "a priority" for the Los Angeles Chargers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who added that "instead of retirement, Mack is back exploring all options and will be a big-time target in free agency.

Mack, 35, appeared in 12 games for the Chargers last season, registering 32 tackles (six for loss), 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, a safety and four forced fumbles.

While Mack is probably no longer the player who recorded 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits and 10 passes defensed in 2023—he has 11.5 sacks in the past two seasons combined—he's still a solid option off the edge. And for a Chargers team that got excellent production off the edge from Odafe Oweh (7.5 sacks) after acquiring him midseason from the Baltimore Ravens but could lose him in free agency, keeping Mack is all the more important.

Tuli Tuipulotu has emerged as one of the league's more dynamic pass-rushers in the past two seasons, with 21.5 sacks in that time, so the Chargers have a top option in that regard. But if the Chargers can't keep Oweh as his running mate and don't want to splash the cash for a player like Jaelan Phillips or Trey Hendrickson, Mack is a solid option.

The Chargers have the cap space to be aggressive this offseason, though general manager Joe Hortiz hasn't shown a tendency to throw money around this time of year. That money could be spent on keeping their own players, like guard Zion Johnson and Oweh, and it certainly should be put toward upgrades on the offensive line. Those moves may not preclude keeping Mack.

As The Athletic's Daniel Popper noted, "Coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, my sense is that Mack will return to the Chargers. He could retire. He could make a bigger salary elsewhere. But at this stage, winning is the priority for Mack, and the Chargers present a very good opportunity to do so. He believes in quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh. He likes living in L.A. He has talked often about his appreciation for executive director of player performance Ben Herbert."

So a reunion seems likely, though a lot can change in free agency.