This can permit for a free company bid, although the Chargers are fascinated by bringing again the previous Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Jim Harbaugh talked about Mack as a potential top priority for his team, although it will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Mack — who was tied to a six-year extension agreed to shortly after he joined the Bears — will take into account different groups provided that he has by no means reached free company.
As Joey Bosa continued to navigate damage points lately, Mack bounced again from a foot illness suffered throughout his last Bears season by often remaining accessible in Los Angeles. Mack couldn’t method his 17-sack 2023 season, registering six, however he added one other Professional Bowl to his resume final season. Mack and Bosa had been vital parts of Jesse Minter‘s No. 1-ranked protection this season. Bosa is underneath contract for 2025, although his roster spot is probably not utterly safe.
Mack solely missed one recreation as a Charger, and that sturdiness will assist him in the marketplace. Whereas groups will issue Mack’s age (34 in February) into the equation, he nonetheless ought to be a coveted short-term commodity. Though Mack would have been higher served by pushing for a shorter-team extension upon being traded to the Bears, he has executed very properly for himself within the NFL. The previous No. 5 general decide has earned greater than $169M and has positioned himself on the Corridor of Fame radar.
The previous Raiders and Bears EDGE has 107.5 profession sacks. For a surefire Corridor of Fame bid, Mack might use one other sturdy season. He ranks thirty second on the profession sack checklist. Whereas the Buffalo alum has earned 9 Professional Bowls, his most up-to-date All-Professional nod got here in 2020 with Chicago. Merely reaching 5.5 sacks in 2025 would vault Mack into the highest 25 in sacks all-time.
This 12 months’s edge rusher market is about to incorporate youthful abilities like Chase Young and Azeez Ojulari whereas additionally housing plenty of achieved vets — Mack, Matt Judon, Haason Reddick and DeMarcus Lawrence amongst them. The Chargers even have Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu signed long run, which is able to make it attention-grabbing relating to how far the resurgent AFC West franchise will go to retain Mack.
