The Los Angeles Chargers brought Khalil Mack at age 35 back to chase a championship. Four games into the season, they need to consider whether keeping him serves that goal or delays a difficult decision about their future.
An 0-4 start does not mathematically eliminate the Bolts. It does, however, force general manager Joe Hortiz to evaluate a season heading in the wrong direction. If a contender offers a worthwhile return for Mack, Los Angeles should make the trade.
Mack signed a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million deal this offseason. At 35, he remains capable of helping a defense, but his contract gives the Chargers no long-term certainty beyond this season. Holding onto him while their playoff chances deteriorate risks losing an opportunity to acquire something useful for the next competitive Chargers team.
That argument has nothing to do with dismissing Mack’s contributions. He has been a defensive leader, a disruptive pass rusher, and one of the most accomplished players to wear a Chargers uniform. His franchise-record 17 sacks in 2023 remain a reminder of how much he has delivered since arriving.
His value is precisely why Los Angeles should listen. A contender needing help on the edge could view Mack as the difference. The Chargers should explore whether that urgency creates an acceptable offer.
Hortiz should not expect a blockbuster package simply because Mack has a Hall of Fame résumé. Age, salary, and an expiring contract affect negotiations. But an additional draft pick or a younger player who fits a roster need could still make a meaningful difference.
The return needs to justify the loss. Trading Mack for almost nothing would sacrifice leadership and production without adequately improving the future. The goal should be converting a valuable veteran into an asset the Chargers can use beyond a season that is already in serious trouble.
Los Angeles also has a succession plan underway. The team selected Akheem Mesidor with the No. 22 pick in April, adding a first-round edge rusher to a group that includes Tuli Tuipulotu. The Chargers’ own draft analysis identified Mesidor and Tuipulotu as a potential foundation for their future pass rush.
Article Continues BelowMesidor’s presence does not make Mack expendable overnight. Learning alongside an accomplished veteran has value, and a rookie should not be expected to immediately reproduce his impact. Still, drafting Mesidor gives the Chargers a reason to invest more playing time in the next version of their defense.
There is also Mack’s championship pursuit to consider. He returned hoping this team could help him win a ring. If that opportunity becomes increasingly unrealistic in Los Angeles, a trade could give him another chance while helping the Chargers replenish their resources.
That would require finding the right destination and working through the practical details. It should be part of the conversation, though, rather than allowing loyalty to become the sole reason for maintaining the status quo.
Adam Schefter raised that possibility Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” suggesting the Chargers should consider a move if losses continue and another team calls. His point was conditional: Los Angeles is not currently looking to trade Mack.
The Chargers should change that posture and actively evaluate the market. They can continue trying to win while preparing for a decision before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Mack has given this franchise plenty. Keeping him through another disappointing finish would not necessarily reward that commitment. A sensible trade could offer him a better championship opportunity and give Hortiz another piece for the future. At 0-4, the Chargers need to be willing to make that choice.