Khalil Mack will return to the gridiron subsequent fall.
The star edge rusher, who turns 34 in February, will delay retirement for one more season and is anticipated to play within the 2025 season, ESPN reported Wednesday. Mack overtly thought of retiring after the Los Angeles Chargers’ wild-card spherical loss to the Houston Texans.
“There’s numerous totally different ideas in my head proper now. I can not actually speak about a ultimate determination on what I’m going to do,” Mack instructed reporters as Chargers gamers emptied their lockers following the playoff loss. “I would like to speak to my spouse, spend a while with my youngsters and check out to not make a rash determination after a loss. I’m making an attempt to not be emotional throughout this course of and to suppose clearly.”
While Mack plans to proceed enjoying in 2025, it stays to be seen the place he’ll accomplish that. He is ready to change into a free agent when the brand new league 12 months begins in March, marking the primary time in his profession he’ll hit the open market.
Mack may generate fairly a little bit of free company buzz if the Chargers do not prolong him earlier than then. He was a Pro Bowler for the ninth time in his 11-year profession in 2024, recording 39 whole tackles, six sacks, two pressured fumbles and one fumble restoration.
His 107.5 sacks since getting into the NFL in 2014 are the third-most in that span. Mack ranks second in quarterback pressures (454), pressured fumbles (32) and strip-sacks (24), and leads the league in speeding (256).
Should he attain free company, anticipate Mack to prioritize enjoying for a winner. His feedback after the Chargers’ season-ending loss indicated as a lot.
“I do not need to exit with a loss based mostly on who I’m. I undoubtedly need to make that push and play some large video games within the playoffs,” Mack stated. “I’m making an attempt to not suppose an excessive amount of in regards to the future, however to present myself a while and a grace interval to suppose issues via.”
Mack has reached the postseason solely 5 instances in his profession, and his groups have misplaced their opening recreation every time.
The Chargers completed 11–6 in Jim Harbaugh’s first 12 months as head coach, ending second within the AFC West whereas the Kansas City Chiefs gained their ninth straight division title. Even although the Chargers’ loss to the Texans wasn’t fairly, Mack appeared optimistic about Harbaugh and the crew’s future.
“It’s been a particular 12 months to know what he is finished within the brief time he is been right here and the potential of the constructing. Growth is inevitable,” Mack stated of Harbaugh. “It was spectacular what we have been in a position to do and obtain.”
Mack joined the Chargers previous to the 2022 season once they acquired him in a commerce with the Chicago Bears for a second-round choose. He started his profession with the Raiders, who chosen him with the No. 1 choose. 4 general choose within the 2014 draft earlier than being traded to the Bears on the eve of the 2018 season for a number of first-round picks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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