Report: Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack plans to play again in 2026
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz made it clear last week he wants to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent outside linebacker Khalil Mack. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, citing unnamed sources, reported Monday that the future Hall of Famer plans to play in the 2026 season, but is exploring his options.
Free agency begins March 11.
Mack, who turned 35 on Feb. 22, had 5½ sacks and forced four fumbles despite sitting out for four games because of a dislocated elbow suffered in a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2. He was a part of a three-headed monster of pass rushers that also featured Tuli Tuipulotu and Odafe Oweh.
Hortiz said last week at the NFL draft combine in Indianapolis that retaining Mack and Oweh, another pending free agent, was a priority for the offseason.
“They know we want them back,” Hortiz told reporters in Indy. “I think when players go into free agency once the season ends, it takes a little bit of time, but we’ll keep chipping away at it and see if we can get something done with them. I see no problem having a bunch of great edge rushers.”
Mack also was eligible to become a free agent after the 2024 season when he had six sacks and earned the ninth Pro Bowl selection of his stellar career. He re-signed for the ’25 season, his fourth with the Chargers and 12th overall in the NFL. agreeing to a one-season deal worth $18 million last March 10, mere hours before free agency began.
Tuipulotu had a team-leading 13 sacks last season, and Oweh had 7½ after an Oct. 7 trade from the Baltimore Ravens. Tuipulotu is eligible for a contract extension, and Hortiz said during his season-ending news conference in January that he would be willing to re-sign Mack and Oweh and give Tuipulotu an extension, too.
The Chargers have roughly $85.5 million in available cap space for the 2026 season, according to the website overthecap.com.