Despite having positive discussions with the Los Angeles Chargers, $135 million pass rusher Khalil Mack may still choose to test the free agent market. ESPN’s Kris Rhim reports that while recent developments have favored the Chargers re-signing Mack to a new contract, the team’s general manager understands if Mack wants to explore other options.
Mack is one of the most sought-after names this offseason, and while some believe his free agency could be robust, he’s expected to have a solid market.
Joe Horitz mentioned that Mack has never been a free agent before, so the Chargers may give him the freedom to explore his options at this stage in his career.
Mack, selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, established himself as one of the league’s top pass rushers early on with the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders. He made history as the first player to earn first-team All-Pro honors at two different positions.
After being traded to the Chicago Bears in 2018, Mack became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Four years later, he was traded again, making it understandable that Mack might want to test the free agent market before committing to the Chargers.
$135 Million Pass Rusher Khalil Mack Could Seek to Test Free Agent Market
3 Possible Destinations May Emerge
Detroit Lions
Several sources predict that Khalil Mack could potentially join the Detroit Lions in hopes of securing a championship before he retires. The Lions are in a strong position, but their playoff run faltered in the divisional round against the Washington Commanders, largely due to injuries.
The key player they were missing was Aidan Hutchinson, who was on track to win Defensive Player of the Year before suffering a broken leg in October. While the Lions attempted to strengthen their defense by trading for Za’Darius Smith before the deadline, the unit struggled to generate pressure.
Despite that, Mack still has plenty of snaps left in him. While he may not bring the same dominant force he once did, he would be a valuable addition to the Lions’ defense, enhancing their Super Bowl aspirations.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens find themselves in a similar situation to the Lions, just a few moves away from having a complete championship-caliber roster that could finally propel them to the Super Bowl. Last offseason, the team had to part ways with veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney due to salary cap constraints, which significantly impacted their pass-rushing unit.
Trenton Simpson, stepping in for Clowney, wasn’t able to fill that role at the same level, leading to a noticeable decline in the balance of the team’s defense.
While Mack may not be as explosive as he once was, his presence could still be a valuable addition. His leadership and experience could provide a much-needed boost to Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy, helping to solidify the Ravens’ defense as they push for a Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs
The most realistic option for Khalil Mack could be the Kansas City Chiefs. As of now, the Chiefs are focused on bringing back at least one of Nick Bolton or Josh Uche, but they still have a gap to fill when it comes to a capable pass rusher.
While Mack may not be as explosive as he once was, he would be a cost-effective addition for a team that finds itself in Super Bowl contention every year. The veteran pass rusher would likely jump at the opportunity if Kansas City expresses interest in him, knowing the chance to chase another championship with the Chiefs would be hard to pass up.
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