Report: Khalil Mack Restructures Chargers Contract, Will Remain with Team in 2024

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMarch 13, 2024

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Khalil Mack’s time with the Los Angeles Chargers will continue.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the veteran pass-rusher agreed to restructure his contract, which comes shortly after Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Chargers released wide receiver Mike Williams.

The franchise had to trim significant money from its payroll Wednesday in order to get under the salary cap.

Jason_OTC @Jason_OTCThe only team that may still have significant salary cap hurdles to clear is the #Chargers. Unless they did something last night they are around $25M over. Will need to decide on Bosa, Allen, Mack, and Williams before 4PM. Those four count for over $142M on the cap

Because of that, Mack’s future in L.A. was uncertain. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on March 9 the team was open to offers on him, Joey Bosa and others even though “many around the league are willing to wait to see if the Chargers cut them soon.”

On March 8, Kris Rhim of ESPN reported new head coach Jim Harbaugh and new general manager Joe Hortiz were “navigating” the salary cap concerns during the offseason with moves that included releasing linebacker Eric Kendricks and restructuring center Corey Linsley’s deal.

Even with those moves, the team was $19 million over the cap at the time. Rhim explained that trading or releasing Mack would save the team $23.2 million with a dead money charge of $15.2 million for the upcoming campaign.

Releasing Williams was enough to make the Chargers cap-compliant, though it was unlikely to be the only cost-savings maneuver. Hortiz still needed some flexibility to make outside additions.

Cutting or trading Mack was probably considered a last resort absent an overwhelming trade offer. He’s still one of the league’s best defensive players and was excellent in 2023 with 74 tackles, 17 sacks, 10 passes defended and five forced fumbles.

NFL @NFLSack No. 12 this season for Khalil Mack 😤

📺: #BALvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/4A9GOmQsZC pic.twitter.com/wLpp2PNUOc

He was a bright spot for a Chargers team that was just 5-12 and finished in last place in the AFC West.

It was his second year with Los Angeles after he previously played for the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears during his first eight years in the league. His resume includes the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, three First-Team All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowl nods.

While he is 33 years old and surely in the second half of his career, he posted double-digit sacks for the first time since 2018 just last season and seemed ready to lead his team’s pass-rush into the immediate future.

Now, there’s no doubt as to where he fits into the Chargers’ plans for 2024.