Khalil Mack to Play 13th NFL Season in Free Agency

Veteran NFL edge rusher Khalil Mack announced plans on March 2, 2026, to continue his career into a 13th season rather than retire, positioning himself as a top target in free agency when the league year begins on March 11. The 35-year-old, who spent the past four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, is expected to explore options across the market, though the team views retaining him as a priority.

Mack's decision comes after a solid 2025 campaign despite injury setbacks. He appeared in 12 games for the Chargers, starting 11, and recorded 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and one safety. A dislocated elbow sidelined him for several weeks, but his performance underscored his enduring threat as a pass rusher. Just two years earlier, in 2023, Mack led the Chargers with 17 sacks, marking a resurgence after a quieter stretch.

Throughout his 12-year NFL tenure, Mack has amassed 113 sacks, 148 tackles for loss and 196 quarterback hits across 179 games and 177 starts. Selected fifth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 draft, he earned nine Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors, with his peak production coming during four seasons in...