A report surfaced from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday that indicated Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Khalil Mack is set to return for the 2025 season.
Mack is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he’ll be entering his 12th NFL season at age 34. Last season for the Chargers he posted 6.0 sacks – a steep drop off from the 17.0 he posted in 2023.
Despite the dip in production, the San Francisco 49ers should be in hot pursuit of Mack in free agency.
Mack can’t be their only move, but he’s a legitimate edge rusher with an outstanding resume who can bolster a pass rush that desperately needs some level of consistency on the side opposite Nick Bosa. San Francisco will likely add additional depth this offseason, opening a door for Mack to be a pass-rush specialist who doesn’t necessarily need to be on the field for every down.
Perhaps the biggest problem facing the 49ers in chasing Mack could be his lack of desire to leave the Chargers.
Via ESPN:
Mack had said earlier this month that if he decided to continue playing, he believed his best chance to win was with the Chargers.
“As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback. You got [safety] Derwin James and all these guys that love the game of football. And Jim Harbaugh coaching?” Mack said on Jan. 12. “You know you always have a chance to win. Yeah, that’s a no-brainer.”
As Mack enters the twilight of his career, however, the 49ers have the cap space to make an enticing offer for a defensive end who would dramatically upgrade their pass rush. They also bolster a talented roster and coaching staff that would still give Mack a chance to win his first playoff game. He’s 0-5 in five career trips to the postseason, including a blowout loss to the Houston Texans this year.
The 49ers tried to acquire Mack in a trade with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2018. He was dealt instead to the Chicago Bears where he was a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year runner up. It wouldn’t be the same version of Mack the 49ers are acquiring, but he would be a quality pass rusher for a defensive line that needs as many as it can find.
Mack in 11 seasons has posted 107.5 sacks and 142 tackles for loss in 167 games. He is a four-time All-Pro and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.