Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack says he is contemplating retirement.
Mack spoke to reporters Sunday as the Chargers cleaned out their lockers one day after a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card playoff round.
His contract with the Chargers is up and he is headed for unrestricted free agency, but first he has to make the decision about whether or not to continue his playing career.
“Man, it’s a lot of different thoughts in my head right now,” the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year said. “I can’t really speak on a definitive decision in terms of what I’m going to do because I don’t know if I’m going to play football moving forward, so there’s some things I gotta talk through with my wife, spend some time with my kids and try not to make a rash decision after a loss.”
When the Chargers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs two years ago, Mack made an internal decision to retire but quickly had a change of heart.
“I think I did that a couple of years ago, it ain’t really go too well,” Mack said. “Trying not to be emotional through this process and try to think a little more clearly. That’s going to take time.”
Mack has been a standout pass-rusher across 11 seasons in the NFL and will turn 34 in February. He has been traded twice and signed a six-year contract extension while with the Chicago Bears in 2018. After restructuring his contract ahead of the 2024 season, Mack is an unrestricted free agent for the first time.
Mack recorded two sacks on Saturday in his fifth career playoff game, but his teams have yet to win a playoff game in five tries.
One year removed from a career-best 17-sack campaign, Mack managed six sacks in 16 games in the 2024 regular season. He was named to his ninth Pro Bowl and is also a three-time All-Pro first-teamer (2015, 2016, 2018).
In 167 career games (166 starts) for the Oakland Raiders (2014-17), Bears (2018-21) and Chargers (2022-24), Mack has compiled 107.5 sacks, which ranks tied for 32nd all-time. He has 630 tackles (142 for loss), 32 forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
–Field Level Media
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