Khalil Mack is one of the best pass rushers of his generation, but the nine-time Pro Bowler could choose retirement following his 11th professional season. A first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Mack entered the league with the Oakland Raiders and quickly became the type of player who keeps opposing quarterbacks up at night. Winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, Mack remained productive last year, finishing the campaign with six sacks, 39 tackles, six tackles-f0r-loss, 15 quarterback hits, and a 90.2 PFF grade, the fifth-best mark in the league.
While he’s still a good player, he just finished his age-33 season and is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Speaking to reporters, Khalil Mack didn’t rule out retirement and it sounds like he’ll take some time before deciding whether or not to come back.
#Chargers OLB Khalil Mack said today he’s uncertain about his football future and plans to discuss with his family whether he should retire from the NFL.
Mack, one of the premier pass-rushers of this era, is set to become a free agent this offseason. pic.twitter.com/ZRqwAAyzQC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 12, 2025
Now an impending free agent, the Chargers would probably love to re-sign Mack for another season or two. Perhaps head coach Jim Harbaugh can convince him to return, or perhaps the pass rusher just wants a change of scenery. If he’s looking for a new home to continue his career, the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens could be ideal destinations.
Ravens, Panthers Could Impact Khalil Mack Retirement Decision
For the first time in forever, the future is bright for the Carolina Panthers. While the team finished with an unremarkable 5-12 record, first-overall pick Bryce Young finished the season looking like a legitimate franchise quarterback. Armed with a strong offensive line and a promising group of young pass-catchers, the sky is the limit for the offense. The defense, however, remains a major work in progress.
Last year, the unit ranked at or near the bottom in just about every defensive metric possible. Carolina never found proper replacements for edge rusher Brian Burns and linebacker Frankie Luvu, so now it’s time for the team to fix this side of the ball. Even though he is on the older side, Khalil Mack is still a great player who could fill Carolina’s biggest need. If Young continues his positive development, Mack’s presence could be enough to win a weak NFC South in 2025.
More Pass Rushing Help
The Baltimore Ravens finished the regular season with 54 sacks, but a sizable portion of that production came from two players. Edge rushers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh combined for 22.5 sacks, which is fantastic, but it shows the team didn’t have much beyond these two. With Van Noy entering his age-34 season and Oweh nearing the end of his rookie deal, Baltimore must find another reliable pass rusher.
John Harbaugh’s Ravens typically love to use multiple pass rushers to keep everyone fresh throughout the year. They weren’t able to do that in 2024, as former second-round pick David Ojabo couldn’t return to form following his multiple season-ending injuries. Khalil Mack could be a perfect fit on this defensive line if he decides to push off retirement. If all three players play up to their potential, Baltimore will have the most ferocious pass rush in football. However, if age catches up with Van Noy, Mack’s presence ensures the Ravens will still get after the quarterback.
Main Photo: Thomas Shea – USA Today Sports
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