Khalil Mack Unsure of Future as Chargers Shift Focus to 2025 Offseason

2. Mack weighing career options

Khalil Mack just put a bow on Year 11 in what will be a Hall of Fame career.

He’s not sure if there will be a Year 12, whether it’s with the Chargers or someone else.

“It’s a lot of different thoughts in my head right now,” Mack said Sunday. “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 going forward.

“Just some things I got to talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss,” Mack added.

The last time the Chargers lost a playoff game — back in 2022 — Mack said an emotionally quick internal decision to retire. And while he obviously changed his mind and has played two seasons since, he said he’s going to take more time with his decision this time around.

“I think I did that a couple of years ago, it ain’t really go to well,” Mack said. “Trying not to be emotional through this process and try to think a little more clearly. That’s going to take time.”

Mack, who will turn 34 years old in February, has 107.5 career sacks after notching 6.0 sacks this season. His sack total ranks fifth among active players who suited up in 2024.

He’s also slated to be a free agent for the first time in his career this offseason and said Sunday that he won’t be making any rash decisions.

“Nah man, I’m not giving myself no timeline,” Mack said. “I don’t even know what the timeline could be right now to be honest with you.

“This is my first time in this position. You just got to approach it with a prayer and patience,” Mack added.

As the offseason approaches, Mack essentially has three options: return to the Bolts, choose another team in free agency or retire.

He made sure to reiterate how he feels about the powder blue.

“As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback and you got Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football and you got Jim Harbaugh coaching, you know you always have a chance to win,” Mack said. “That’s a no brainer in the sense of if you know football, then you know.”

Mack also noted that given how driven he is, his career preference is to not have his final game be a playoff loss. Mack is now 0-5 in the postseason after Saturday’s loss.

“It’s also not just one specific thought. I also don’t want to go out with an ‘L’ just based on who I am as a man and as a person, I’m a competitor. I’m an ultimate competitor,” Mack said. “I also don’t want to go out with an ‘L’. Definitely want to make that push and play some important games in the playoffs.

“Trying not to think too far ahead, but also want to give myself some time and some grace period to kind of just vibe and spend some time with my family,” Mack added. “Just think things through.”

A pair of his teammates were also pushing for Mack to return but said they would respect the process and let him make a decision on his own timeline.

“I definitely told him I wanted him to come back. I just told him the same thing, I want him to come back,” James said. “It’s just a bad taste in our mouth. We feel like we didn’t do what we needed to do, what we set out to do. I feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”

Tuli Tuipulotu added: “He’s been my OG. He’s paved the way, welcomed me into the league, showed me the way and how to go about certain things. I appreciate him.”