Chargers Re-Sign Star Edge Rusher Khalil Mack

Cincinnati Bengals will have to look elsewhere to bolster their pass rush this offseason.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Los Angeles Chargers have re-signed veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack to a one-year deal, preventing him from hitting free agency and potentially joining the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals had been viewed as a potential landing spot for Mack, who would have been a valuable addition to their pass rush, but now they will have to explore other options to improve their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Why it matters

The Bengals struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback last season, ranking 23rd in the NFL in team pass rush rate. Losing out on the opportunity to sign Mack, a nine-time Pro Bowler, is a setback for Cincinnati as they look to bolster their defense and return to the playoffs.

The details

Mack, 35, has been one of the league's premier edge rushers since entering the NFL in 2014. He recorded a 79+ Pro Football Focus grade in all but two seasons and would have been a highly sought-after free agent. However, the Chargers have now retained him on a reported one-year, $18 million contract with guaranteed money.

  • Mack's new contract with the Chargers was announced on March 8, 2026, just days before the start of NFL free agency.

The players

Khalil Mack

A nine-time Pro Bowl edge rusher who has been one of the league's top pass rushers since entering the NFL in 2014.

Trey Hendrickson

The Bengals' top pass rusher, who missed time due to injury in 2025, contributing to the team's struggles to generate consistent pressure.

Duke Tobin

The Bengals' Director of Player Personnel, who has acknowledged the team's need to improve their pass rush this offseason through both internal development and external additions.

Odafe Oweh

A young edge rusher who could be a target for the Bengals to help bolster their pass rush in free agency.

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What they’re saying

“Nine-time Pro-Bowl edge Khalil Mack reached an agreement today with the Chargers on a one-year deal, and he now will be returning to Los Angeles for his 13th NFL season. Mack would have been a free agent this week, but no longer.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (X)

“Yeah, I'm for pass rush. I'm for pass rush. I don't know what the future holds for Trey. Those are discussions that we're going to have to have ongoing. He's one of several free agents that we have that we'll have to decide how we're going to go forward with. But pass rush is king, and you always need to be layering in pass rushers. It can develop from within your team, and I think we've seen some of that start to develop from within our team. And then I think we need to find some from external sources, as well.”

— Duke Tobin, Bengals Director of Player Personnel (N/A)

What’s next

The Bengals will now have to shift their focus to other potential free agent targets to help improve their pass rush, with players like Odafe Oweh potentially emerging as options.

The takeaway

The Bengals' inability to sign Khalil Mack highlights the challenges they face in upgrading their pass rush this offseason. While they have some internal options, they will need to be aggressive in free agency and the draft to find the right pieces to elevate their defense and return to the playoffs.