Charger Report

Surprising free agent edge rusher Los Angeles Chargers should sign instead of Khalil Mack

Jim Harbaugh's Chargers have several roster holes to fill to continue their turnaround and advance deeper into the NFL playoffs. This productive vet has an excellent chance to shine at a bargain price.
Brian Letscher|
Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) sacks ]Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8)
Oct 13, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) sacks ]Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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The Los Angeles Chargers had a respectable 45 sacks last season, good for sixth in the NFL. However, with the declining productivity and likely cut ofJoey Bosa as well as Khalil Mack being an unrestricted free agent who will likely command top dollar, there is quite a bit of uncertainty about just who will be rushing opposing quarterbacks in 2025.

Joey Bosa
Dec 15, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Chargers currently have $65 million in cap space, behind only four other teams. However, with several positional holes to fill (ahem, wide receiver) and a whopping 27 unrestricted free agents -- including Mack, JK Dobbins, iDL Poona Ford, CB Asante Samuel Jr., iOL Bradley Bozeman and rising safety Elijah Molden -- that money will go fast.

While Mack had a good year he, well, had a good year. While providing leadership and good run-stopping, Mack registered just six sacks in 2025. Out of the leaders at his edge rush position for pass-rush-win-rate, Mack didn't make the Top 20.

Khalil Mack
Oct 21, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) against the Arizona Cardinals. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

So if not Mack then who? The player who is No. 8 on that win-rate list -- Dante Fowler Jr. of the Washington Commanders. Yes, Fowler, a 10-year vet, will be 31 in August but Mack will be 34. Fowler, who the Commanders signed to a one-year deal last offseason, responded with an excellent season, appearing in all 17 games and recording a robust 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures.

The cherry on top for the Chargers? Fowler's estimated price tag is $5.2 million per year compared to Mack who is expected to get offers closer to $25 million. This leaves a lot of money left over to address other needs for a team looking to make another big leap in Harbaugh's second season.

Of course, Washington may not let Fowler walk. His head coach, Dan Quinn, was Fowler's college coordinator at University of Florida. And then signed him with the Falcons...and the Cowboys...and then the Commanders. The Chargers might want to take note how valued Fowler is by the coach who knows him best.

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Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

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