Khalil Mack Sends Clear Message To Los Angeles Chargers As San Francisco 49ers And Chicago Bears Trade Rumors Intensify

Khalil Mack says he wants to stay with the Chargers as the Nov. 10 trade deadline nears.© Image via: X/@NFL_DovKleiman

Khalil Mack is tired of the noise, but he is not asking out. The 35-year-old edge rusher told reporters Thursday that he wants to remain with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 0-7 with the NFL trade deadline set for Nov. 10. Coach Jim Harbaugh says he wants Mack around too. The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears have both been tied to him, though reports say the Chargers have not taken calls. Mack has three sacks through seven games and a one-year, $18 million contract.

Khalil Mack Explains Why He Wants To Stay With The Los Angeles Chargers

Players who hear their names in trade talk every week often start looking for the door. Mack went the other way. Speaking Thursday, as reported by The Athletic, the four-time AP All-Pro said:

“Yeah, they know how I feel, man,” the four-time AP All-Pro said Thursday, via The Athletic. “It's just tough with all the outside noise. And so, ultimately, I want to be here and help them win. Even though it's tough right now, you always see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

He also spoke about what he hopes younger teammates take from him.

“I hope (my teammates) see the example that I try to set day to day, week to week,” Mack said. “But yeah, man, just want to contribute to winning games. That's all I'm worried about.”

The Chicago #Bears have aggressively pursued #Chargers Khalil Mack but the Chargers have not budged https://t.co/ZQWHgdKmo6

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) November 5, 2026

His commitment is easy to believe. Mack seriously considered retirement this offseason and chose to return for a fifth year with the team. Through seven games he has six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and 21 total tackles, 11 of them solo.

Khalil Mack Trade Value Faces A Salary Cap Problem For Contenders

A 13-year veteran with nine Pro Bowl nods and an 0-6 playoff record has a clear reason to want a contender. San Francisco and Chicago could give him that shot right away.

The Chargers have their own reasons to listen. They rank last in scoring and turnovers, and NFL.com has valued Mack at roughly an early Day 3 pick, which could help a struggling offense. Sports Illustrated's Mark Livingston argues a fifth-rounder is a fairer price for a 35-year-old on an expiring deal.

The contract complicates things. Mack's $10 million signing bonus is already paid, so a new team would owe only the unpaid part of his $8 million base salary. That can still reach several million dollars. The Carolina Panthers, with under $1 million in cap space, would have a hard time fitting it.

Mack's decision matters less than Harbaugh's at this point, and the coach has said he wants him on the roster all year. If the Chargers hold firm through Nov. 10, Mack finishes the season in Los Angeles and reaches free agency in March.