The 2024 season is Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach of the Chargers. He inherits a Los Angeles team that went 5-12 in 2023. Harbaugh helps the Chargers get back on track with an 11-6 record in 2024. They were 4-2 in conference play, losing both games to Kansas City.
For the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs, an 11-6 record is enough. Los Angeles faces the fourth-ranked Houston Texans on the road in the wild-card round. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had his worst game all season and was intercepted four times. One of them was returned for a touchdown by the defense. Herbert only had three interceptions during the regular season. The Chargers lost 32-12 in the wild-card round, ending the season. After the game, veteran LB Khalil said he was unsure about his future in the NFL. Mack will consider retiring this offseason.
Khalil Mack may play in final NFL game of his career
Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said Sunday he’s unsure about his football future and will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 11-year career.
story passed @krisrhim1:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2025
The Raiders selected Buffalo’s Khalil Mack with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In 2014, Mack played and started all 16 games as a rookie for the Raiders. He had (4.0) sacks, 76 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Mack had a breakout year during his sophomore season in 2015. In 2015, Mack had (15.0) sacks and was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career. In 2016, Mack had (11.0) sacks, 1 interception, 5 forced fumbles, 14 tackles for loss, and 26 quarterback hits. That was enough for Mack to be named the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year.
The 2017 season, Mack’s final year with the Raiders, saw him score (10.5). However, Mack was not named to the first-team All-Pro team. Before the 2018 season, the Raiders made a blockbuster trade that sent Mack to the Bears. Mack had a stellar first season in Chicago in 2018. He had (12.5) sacks, one interception, six forced fumbles, 10 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. In 2018, Mack was again named a first-team All-Pro and finished second in DPOY voting. Mack signed a six-year contract with the Bears before the start of the 2019 season. However, Mack was traded to the Chargers in 2022.
Chargers OLB Khalil Mack said he will take some time to decide what to do in 2025. He said he would evaluate whether he wanted to continue playing, but said he didn’t want to go out with L. He is an unrestricted free agent. pic.twitter.com/lg1CghdeCt
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) January 12, 2025
Mack has spent the past three seasons in Los Angeles with varying degrees of success. In 2024, Mack started 16 of the Chargers’ 17 games and had (6.0) sacks. Mack had a career-high in sacks (17.0) during the 2023 season, but he was unable to replicate that mark in 2024. Mack told reporters after the Chargers’ loss on Saturday that he’s not sure what he’ll be retiring from this offseason. Mack said he won’t make rash decisions after the loss. He’s going to take some time this offseason to make the best decision for himself and his career.
