Kris Rhim, ESPN
LOS ANGELES — Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mackwho will be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 11-year career, said Sunday that he is unsure about his football future.
“Man, there are a lot of different thoughts going through my head right now,” Mack, 33, said. “I can’t make a final decision on what I will do because I don’t know if I will be able to play football in the future, so there are some things I need to discuss with my wife.” spend some time with your children and try not to make hasty decisions after a loss.”
The Chargers’ season ended on Saturday after their victory 32-12 Lost in the wild card round on Houston, Texas. Mack had two sacks on the season, which he hoped would be the start of a Super Bowl push in his 11th season.
“I can’t afford to be in this situation, man, even if you selfishly think, ‘Damn,’ you know what I’m saying? “He was the one,” Mack said after the loss.
Mack, a 2016 Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most decorated outside linebackers in NFL history, hasn’t had much team success. He has lost all five playoff appearances in his career.
On Sunday, Mack and the rest of the Chargers cleared out their lockers for the offseason. Mack said the lack of success on the team may prompt him to return to the 12th grade, but spending more time with his family and his two sons, ages 2 and 3, may be more important.
Mack said he doesn’t have a specific date for when he’ll make a decision, but he still believes the Chargers have the best chance of winning.
“Until Justyna Herbert he is your quarterback. You have [safety] Derwin James and all those guys who love the game of football. And Jim Harbaugh is the coach?” – Mack said. “You know you always have a chance to win. Yes, that’s obvious.”
James said he was already recruiting Mack back to the Chargers.
“I told him we want him back, we need him back,” James said.
Corner Asante Samuel Jr.who didn’t play after Week 4 with a shoulder injury, said he was dealing with “symptoms of pain” in both shoulders stemming from collisions in practice. He also said the injury was related to something he was born with, but declined to go into detail. Samuel said he expects to be healthy heading into the season.
“In 20 years of playing, I’ve never missed a season like that, more than two, three or four games, so it was definitely hard for me to just not be there with my brothers,” Samuel said. “It was painful not being there.”
Samuel said he doesn’t think the injury will affect his career. He is an unrestricted free agent but has said he wants to return to the Chargers.
“I love the Chargers and they are a great organization heading in the right direction,” he said. “I hope I can come back.”
