Khalil Mack is set to put off retirement for at least one more year. The All-Pro edge rusher will play in 2026, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms. 
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Mack looms as one of the top edge rushers set to test free agency despite his age. The 35-year-old is joined by Odafe Oweh as a Chargers pass rusher in danger of departing next week. General manager Joe Hortiz has expressed a desire to retain both, and efforts to work out a deal in each case are no doubt ongoing.
With respect to Mack in particular, Daniel Popper of The Athletic writes (subscription required) a re-signing appears to be likely. Among his many accolades, Mack has yet to win a playoff game and it would certainly come as no surprise if he targeted a contender as his next (quite possibly final) NFL team. Having reached the postseason in both of Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s seasons at the helm, the Bolts could fit the bill in that respect, and Popper notes Mack is fond of his current situation in Los Angeles.
As Rapoport notes, however, Mack is set to weigh his options with free agency looming. The 2010s All-Decade Team member was limited to 12 games in 2025, but prior to that he enjoyed a three-year run with only one missed contest. Mack reached double-digit sacks as recently as 2023 when he set a new career high with 17. Since then, he has totaled 11.5 across the past two seasons while adding six forced fumbles.
Free agency is set to include other veterans such as Trey Hendrickson and Bradley Chubb. Oweh, like Jaelan Phillips and Kwity Paye, is on course to test the market for the first time in his career. Popper adds Oweh – who thrived following the midseason trade which sent him from the Ravens to the Chargers – is among the pass rushers in line to have a strong market. Retaining Mack would allow Los Angeles to pair him once more with Tuli Tuipulotu, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season and is now eligible for an extension.
Over the course of his career, Mack has accumulated over $187MM in earnings. That total includes the one-year Chargers contracts he played on in 2024 and ’25. Another one could soon be in store.