Khalil Mack Returns for 2026

At 35 years old, Khalil Mack will be one of the most experienced pass rushers on the market. His 2025 season was impacted by a dislocated elbow that placed him on injured reserve, limiting him to 5.5 sacks and 32 total tackles over 12 games. This past season's sack total was a significant drop from his career-high 17 sacks in 2023, and below his career average of approximately 9.4 sacks per season. Despite the dip in production and the injury, Mack still managed to generate 39 pressures, ranking 50th among edge defenders. The former Defensive Player of the Year (2016) and nine-time Pro Bowler now enters free agency for the first time in his illustrious career, having previously been traded from the Raiders to the Bears, and then to the Chargers. He played the 2025 season on a one-year, fully guaranteed $18 million contract. Mack joins a notable class of veteran edge rushers expected to be available in 2026. Other prominent names include Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals, who was limited by injuries in 2025, and Joey Bosa, formerly Mack's teammate on the Chargers. Teams in need of a proven pass-rushing presence and veteran leadership will likely weigh Mack's extensive resume against his age and recent injury history. His career includes 113 total sacks and a reputation for being a disruptive force on the defensive line.