The nine-time Pro Bowler will return to Los Angeles for a fifth consecutive season after agreeing to a one-year extension that keeps him off the open market
Khalil Mack is not going anywhere. The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly reached an agreement to re-sign the veteran edge rusher to a one-year, $18 million extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, keeping one of their most important defensive players off the free agent market just as the new league year approaches. The deal means Mack will suit up for his fifth consecutive season with the Chargers and his 13th overall in the NFL, a milestone he had already publicly committed to pursuing.
The 35-year-old had a productive 2025 season despite missing four games due to an elbow injury. He finished the year with 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, numbers that speak to his continued effectiveness as a pass rusher even deep into a career that has already secured his place among the best to ever play the position. His 113 career sacks currently rank seventh among active players in the league.
A decorated career that keeps going
Before landing in Los Angeles, Mack built his reputation with stops in Oakland and Chicago. He was selected ninth overall by the Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft and quickly established himself as one of the most disruptive forces in the game. His time with the Chicago Bears elevated his profile even further, earning him recognition as one of the premier edge rushers of his generation. Across his career, Mack has been named to nine Pro Bowls and earned four All-Pro selections, a body of work that few players at any position can match.
His continued production at 35 makes the $18 million extension a reasonable bet for a Chargers organization that has leaned heavily on his presence to anchor its defensive front. Los Angeles ranked fifth in yards allowed per game last season, a reflection of a defense that has developed genuine identity under the franchise’s current direction.
What this means for the Chargers’ defense
Mack’s return gives new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary a proven centerpiece to build around as he installs his system in Los Angeles. Having a pass rusher of Mack’s caliber already secured heading into the offseason provides the kind of foundational stability that allows a coaching staff to address other needs without scrambling to fill the most critical spots on the depth chart.
With Mack and defensive tackle Teair Tart now both back under contract, the Chargers can shift their attention to outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, who is scheduled to hit free agency in the coming days. Oweh was acquired from the Baltimore Ravens before last season’s trade deadline and made an immediate impact, finishing with 28 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his time with the team. Retaining him would give Los Angeles one of the more formidable edge-rushing combinations in the AFC.
Building toward a deeper playoff run
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers also locked up center Tyler Biadasz to a three-year, $30 million extension, filling the void left by Bradley Bozeman’s retirement and reinforcing an offensive line that will be critical to the team’s success in 2026.
Los Angeles finished last season at 11-6 but was eliminated in the wild-card round for the second consecutive year. The franchise has not won a playoff game since 2018, and the front office appears committed to making the changes necessary to push past that barrier. Re-signing a player of Mack‘s stature is a clear signal that the Chargers believe they are close enough to contend that holding onto their core is the right approach heading into what could be a decisive season.
Source: Yahoo Sports