Chargers Bring Khalil Mack Back on One-Year Deal

What They're Saying

Mack on his future immediately after the playoff loss at Houston: "Man, it's a lot of different thoughts in my head right now. 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 got to talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

The quote above highlighted the possibility that Mack might retire rather than hit free agency in March at age 34.

He obviously then decided to return for at least one more year. But perhaps signing this one-year pact ahead of free agency indicates he has decided 2025 will be his final season.

We'll see about that, of course. But Mack remains more effective than you could reasonably expect a 34-year-old, 11-year veteran to be.

His sacks and tackles fell off in 2024, but a nagging midseason groin injury looked like the main culprit. Mack missed just one full game, but he left three others early and saw his second-half playing time and production dip.

The Chargers will continue to need him to lead a defense that has shed fellow edge Joey Bosa since the season. And the salary suggests they expect a return to the full-strength version of Mack.

I'd bet on the veteran hitting summer as a nice value in IDP drafts.

Dynasty Impact

We obviously shouldn't count on much -- if anything -- from Mack beyond the 2025 season. But that year alone could make him an upside throw-in for offseason dynasty trades.