Steelers Favorites to Land All-Pro Khalil Mack
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are the second-favorite team to land edge rusher Khalil Mack this offseason if the All-Pro linebacker doesn't remain with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mack is set to enter the final year of his deal with the Chargers, carrying a $38 million cap hit into the season. If Los Angeles chooses to release him, they'll save over $23 million in salary cap space, making him a candidate to be a cap causality.
If he hits the open market, the Steelers hold the second-best odds to sign him at 5/1 on BetOnline.ag. They trail only the Detroit Lions at 2/1.
The 33-year-old is coming off a career-high 17-sack season that also included 74 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed.
The Steelers have their starting outside linebackers in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, but they've done well operating with some quality depth behind them. Last season, the team signed Markus Golden and had rookie Nick Herbig make an impact. With both on the field, it allowed Watt and Highsmith to stay healthy, combining for 26 sacks.
Mack is likely going to cost a pretty penny, even at 33 years old. The Steelers have roughly $13 million in cap space so far, but have plenty of options to increase that number with cuts and restructured contracts.
If they are looking at Mack, they'll need to figure out the rotation between him, Watt, and Highsmith. It would also bring up questions about Herbig's role. But right now, the sportsbooks believe Pittsburgh is one of the top options.
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