Chargers “hopefully we can still be around” Khalil Mack

Edge rusher Khalil Mack isn’t sure what his future holds, but the Chargers know what they hope he decides to do in 2025.

Mack played out the final year of his contract in 2024, so his return was far from certain even before he opened the door to a possible retirement when he spoke to reporters earlier this week. Mack said he did not know if “let’s play football moving forward” and said he doesn’t have a timeline in mind because he doesn’t want to make hasty decisions right after the season.

On Wednesday, Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said he felt Mack was a central part of what made the team successful in 2024 and hoped to get him going in 2025.

“These the boys were specialHortiz said via the team’s website. “They love football and we love football, and we love guys who love football. It was that group, and Khalil was at the head of it,” added Hortiz. “Such a special competitor, leader, person. It’s rare to get a guy with Khalil’s ability and get the person he brings with him. He is a special, special person to be around. I feel blessed to have been around him and I hope we can continue to be around him.”

Mack had 39 tackles, six sacks, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during the regular season. He had two more sacks in the playoff loss to the Texans.