Khalil Mack will continue his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers after agreeing to a new one-year contract on Monday. The arrangement ensures Mack’s $18 million salary for the 2025 season will be entirely guaranteed, according to individuals familiar with the deal who spoke anonymously due to the Chargers not publicly disclosing contract details.
In 2024, Mack was selected for his ninth Pro Bowl, distinguished as the sole player in the league with at least six sacks and nine pass defenses. Retaining Mack was a major priority for General Manager Joe Hortiz and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, particularly ahead of the new league year commencing on Wednesday. This became increasingly crucial following the release of fellow edge rusher Joey Bosa last Wednesday.
This marked Mack’s first opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent since he entered the NFL in 2014 as the fifth overall pick by the Oakland Raiders. The 2016 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears in 2018 after negotiations for a contract extension with the Raiders fell through.
Mack inked a six-year contract with the Bears, effective starting the 2019 season, before being traded to the Chargers in 2022. Across his illustrious career, Mack has accumulated 107.5 sacks, ranking third in that period, and his 256 hurries top the league. Additionally, his 454 quarterback pressures rank second, complemented by 32 forced fumbles and 24 strip-sacks.
Despite his impressive individual achievements, Mack has yet to consistently compete with a contending team. That potential narrative shift looms as the Chargers concluded their recent season with an 11-6 record under Harbaugh’s guidance, though they fell to the Houston Texans, 32-12, in an AFC wild-card round matchup.
“I definitely want to make that push and play some important games in the playoffs,” said Mack following the season-ending loss. “It was a special year understanding what he [Harbaugh] has done in the short time he has been here and the potential in the building. The growth is inevitable. It was impressive what we were able to do and squeeze out.”
