Khalil Mack will return to the gridiron next fall.
The star running back, who will turn 34 in February, will sit out another season and is expected to play through the 2025 season, ESPN reported Wednesday. Mack apparently considered retirement after the Los Angeles Chargers’ wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.
“There’s a lot of different thoughts going through my head right now. I can’t really talk about a specific decision about what I’m going to do,” Mack told reporters as Chargers players unpacked their lockers following their Finals loss. “I have to talk to my wife, spend time with my children and try not to make a rash decision after the loss. I try not to be emotional about this process and think clearly.”
While Mack plans to continue playing in 2025, where he does that remains to be seen. He will become a free agent when the new league year begins in March, marking the first time in his career that he has hit the open market.
Mack could generate a good amount of buzz in free agency if the Chargers don’t sign him before then. He was a Pro Bowler for the ninth time in his 11-year career in 2024, recording 39 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
His 107.5 sacks since entering the NFL in 2014 are third most over that span. Mack ranks second in quarterback pressures (454), forced fumbles (32) and strip-sacks (24), and leads the league in hurries (256).
If he does hit free agency, expect Mack to prioritize playing for a winner. His comments after the season-ending loss to the Chargers point to that.
“I don’t want to go out and lose based on who I am. I really want to do that and play important games in the playoffs,” Mack said. “I try not to think too much ahead of time but give myself time and time to think carefully.”
Mack has reached the postseason just five times in his career, with his teams losing their opening game each time.
The Chargers went 11-6 in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach, finishing second in the AFC West as the Kansas City Chiefs won their ninth division title. Even though the Chargers’ loss to the Texans was not good, Mack appeared to be concerned about Harbaugh and the team’s future.
“It’s been a special year to understand what he’s done in the short time he’s been here and the energy in the building. Growth is inevitable,” Mack said of Harbaugh. “It was impressive what we were able to do and get out.”
Mack joined the Chargers before the 2022 season when they acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. He began his career with the Raiders, who selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 draft, before being traded to the Bears on the eve of the 2018 season for multiple first-round picks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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