After 11 seasons and 172 total games played in the National Football League, Khalil Mack had some things to consider. He's got a resume deserving of Canton consideration and a mantle filled with trophies symbolizing his elite production in a demanding sport. As it turns out, Mack is hungry for more.
Per ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, despite the fact that Mack has completed his most recent contract with the L.A. Chargers, the veteran pass rusher is ready to come back for another season in 2025. He'll also do so as an unrestricted free agent.
Looking at Khalil Mack's recent production
Not that Mack needs any introduction to Chiefs Kingdom, but it feels right to go over things for a minute. Despite being in his twilight years, Mack is still an effective edge rusher who offensive coordinators must account for. In the Chargers' most recent playoff game, a loss to the Houston Texans, Mack did his part with 2 sacks and 1 hurry of C.J. Stroud to go with 6 overall tackles.
That said, it is impossible to ignore a dip in production and playing time from 2023 to 2024. He went from 17 sacks and being considered in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year (he finished 9th in voting) to 6 sacks this season. He still earned a Pro Bowl nod—his ninth such honor—as he helped anchor the Chargers' defense in Jim Harbaugh's first year on the sidelines.
Is Khalil Mack tired of losing?
Mack is no stranger at Arrowhead as a former player for two AFC West rivals: the Raiders and Chargers. And while Mack's teams might have earned the occasional victory or two against K.C., Mack has mostly been looking up the divisional ladder in those seasons.
Mack's only first-place divisional finish came with (Matt Nagy's) Chicago Bears back in 2018 in which they claimed the AFC North. In 11 years, Mack has been to the postseason five times—and he's been bounced after a single game in every one of those campaigns.
What does this mean for Chiefs fans?
This offseason, Mack is going to sign with some team given his indications to play, but it could come into question just how much playing time he's gong to get. As he slipped from 81 percent of snaps to 61 percent for the Chargers from 2023 to 2024, it makes sense that Mack might be okay becoming an important rotational player who hovers around the same amount of reps for a winning team.
Charles Omenihu is headed for free agency and is hungry for a big check as he hits the open market in his prime for his best last chance at making more money. This season, Omenihu has played between 50 to 68 percent of snaps for the Chiefs, and while Spags would undoubtedly love to have him back, the Chiefs' salary cap might have other ideas.
To date, Mack has earned nearly $170 million just in NFL salaries alone in his career. Would he be willing to take a lesser amount to accomplish more on the field? How important is winning at this point? Mack is returning next year for something and it's hard to believe that it's about the money for the likely future Hall of Famer.
The Chiefs have other things to focus on right now, of course, but the offseason is coming soon and the fact that Mack is coming back at least stocks the free agent shelves with another option for teams looking for potential parts. And if someone is tired of finishing second or lower in the AFC West, there are ways to remedy that.