Khalil Mack could become trade chip if Chargers keep sliding

The Los Angeles Chargers dropped to 0-4 with Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, a start that is prompting speculation they could pivot toward selling before the NFL’s November 10 trade deadline. In that scenario, veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack is drawing early attention as a possible trade chip.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes that a turnaround by the Chargers would likely keep Mack in Los Angeles for the rest of the season. But if the losses continue to pile up, contending teams looking for pass rush help are expected to check in. Before Sunday’s game, colleague Adam Schefter had already mentioned Mack as a potential trade target, tying his name to the Chargers’ poor opening stretch.

Short-term contract makes Mack easier to acquire

Mack, 35, considered retirement this past offseason before ultimately agreeing to another one-year deal with the Chargers. The contract is worth $18MM in fully guaranteed money, including a $10MM signing bonus. Because that bonus is already on Los Angeles’ books, any acquiring team would only be on the hook for the prorated portion of his $8MM base salary, a structure which could appeal to cap-conscious contenders.

On the field, Mack was kept off the stat sheet in the sack department in Week 1 but has produced one sack in each of his last three games. He remains a full-time starter early in his 13th NFL season and would project as a high-end rotational piece at minimum for a team fortifying its edge group for a playoff push.

Chargers weighing present needs against future plans

The Chargers have not shied away from in-season moves at edge rusher in the past, acquiring Odafe Oweh via trade last year before losing him in free agency. This spring, they responded by using a first-round pick on Akheem Mesidor while also keeping Mack in the fold on a one-year pact.

Tuli Tuipulotu’s situation further complicates the long-term picture. The young edge defender is in the final year of his rookie contract, and offseason extension talks did not yield an agreement. Retaining Tuipulotu for 2027 and beyond is expected to remain a priority for general manager Joe Hortiz, head coach Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the Chargers’ decision-makers.

With weeks still to go before the deadline, Los Angeles has time to play its way out of seller territory and shut down calls on Mack. If the skid continues, however, his contract structure, production and experience could combine to make him one of the more sought-after pass rushers on the market.