Chargers pending free agent Khalil Mack said to be considering retirement

The Los Angeles Chargers have a host of pending free agents this offseason and at the top of that list is one of the game's best edge rushers, Khalil Mack. 

Whether Mack, who will turn 34 years old next month, chooses to re-sign with the Chargers or another team as a free agent remains to be seen, but first, he is reportedly deciding whether he wants to continue playing at all. Mack is mulling retirement as an option after his 11th season in the league. 

The Chargers were defeated soundly by the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round so Mack — who has still never won a playoff game in his career — could just be taking some time to deal with a tough defeat. 

Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa spent a while hugging and talking on the field after the game. It may have been their last game together. Mack hasn’t won a playoff game in his career. Bosa has won one.

Mack has played in all but one game for the Chargers over the last three seasons and has 31 sacks in that time. He is one of the best pass-rushers of his era and could still wreak plenty of havoc against offenses for at least a couple more seasons. But the Chargers, and the rest of the NFL, will have to wait to see if he wants to put himself through the grind any further at this point. 

Chargers S Derwin James says he has already talked to OLB Khalil Mack to try to convince him to return next season. “We are headed in the right direction.” pic.twitter.com/SM33Dnx1Ui

Chargers All-Pro defensive back Derwin James has already encouraged Mack to come back to Los Angeles. 

If Mack retires or if he signs with a different team, the Chargers will move Tuli Tuipolotu into his spot in the starting lineup and look for reinforcements at the edge rusher position. 

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