Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack is set to enter his 13th season in the league and his fifth with the team.
Mack has established himself as one of the premier edge rushers of this generation. Although that is still the case, he still craves being out on the football field.
After Thursday’s practice, Mack revealed the one reason that still keeps him going: a championship.
Mack told reporters that he isn’t giving up on his dream of winning a Super Bowl.
“I want to win a championship,” Mack said.
“I was leaning toward coming back the whole time,” Mack said. “It’s considering this stage of life, my kids, you know what I mean? It’s that balance of being a dad and a husband and still trying to follow your dreams. I still don’t feel like I’m in a position to do both. I still spend time with my kids and my wife, but that’s the balance of football. I feel like you still get to spend time, but it takes time to figure that part out.
“I don’t want to give up on my dream.”
There is very little for Mack to achieve outside of winning a Super Bowl. In his 12-year career thus far, the 35-year-old has been named a nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time First-team All-Pro, 2016 AP Defensive Player of the Year and is a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.
However, a Super Bowl is missing from his illustrious career.
The Chargers have built a roster capable of getting the job done, but plenty will need to go right for that to become a reality.
For Mack, could he prove that he can still play at a high level? If last season was any indication, the answer remains to be seen. He was held to 12 games and recorded 5.5 sacks, 32 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and four forced fumbles.
Mack and the Chargers will look to shatter expectations in a big way in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers’ Khalil Mack explains why he returned for 2026 season
Reporting by Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire / Chargers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ricardo Sandoval , Chargers Wire | USA TODAY Network
