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    Nine-time Pro Bowl defender to return for 2025 season

    This will allow for a free agency bid, though the Chargers are interested in bringing back the former Defensive Player of the Year. Jim Harbaugh mentioned Mack as a potential top priority for his team, though it will be interesting to see if Mack — who was tied to a six-year extension agreed to shortly after he joined the Bears — will consider other teams given that he has never reached free agency.

    As Joey Bosa continued to navigate injury issues in recent years, Mack bounced back from a foot malady suffered during his final Bears season by regularly remaining available in Los Angeles. Mack could not approach his 17-sack 2023 season, registering six, but he added another Pro Bowl to his resume last season. Mack and Bosa were critical components of Jesse Minter‘s No. 1-ranked defense this season. Bosa is under contract for 2025, though his roster spot may not be completely secure.

    Mack only missed one game as a Charger, and that durability will help him on the market. While teams will factor Mack’s age (34 in February) into the equation, he still should be a coveted short-term commodity. Although Mack would have been better served by pushing for a shorter-team extension upon being traded to the Bears, he has done very well for himself in the NFL. The former No. 5 overall pick has earned more than $169M and has placed himself on the Hall of Fame radar.

    The former Raiders and Bears EDGE has 107.5 career sacks. For a surefire Hall of Fame bid, Mack could use another strong season. He ranks 32nd on the career sack list. While the Buffalo alum has earned nine Pro Bowls, his most recent All-Pro nod came in 2020 with Chicago. Merely reaching 5.5 sacks in 2025 would vault Mack into the top 25 in sacks all-time.

    This year’s edge rusher market is set to include younger talents like Chase Young and Azeez Ojulari while also housing a number of accomplished vets — Mack, Matt Judon, Haason Reddick and DeMarcus Lawrence among them. The Chargers also have Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu signed long term, which will make it interesting regarding how far the resurgent AFC West franchise will go to retain Mack.



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