Kansas City Chiefs Could Steal Khalil Mack From Los Angeles Chargers With Trade

Khalil Mack could give the Kansas City Chiefs' struggling pass rush a much-needed boost© X/@twentyone2three

The Kansas City Chiefs spent most of the season looking for solution to their defensive struggles, but one potential was playing for a division rival. With the Los Angeles Chargers sitting at the bottom of the AFC West, Khalil Mack could become an attractive trade target for a team desperate to improve its pass rush. The 35-year-old linebacker had something to offer, and a move before the November 10 deadline could give Patrick Mahomes and company another weapon for their playoff push.

Kansas City Chiefs eye $18 million pass-rusher

Kansas City struggled to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The defense opened the season with four sacks against Bo Nix in Week 1, but managed just five more over its next six games.

“ESPN Research: Chiefs pressured Bo Nix on 2 of 34 dropbacks (6%), the lowest for any team since 2024 Week 5, and the lowest for the Chiefs since 2012 Week 8,” ESPN's Benjamin Solak wrote on X.

ESPN Research: Chiefs pressured Bo Nix on 2 of 34 dropbacks (6%), the lowest for any team since 2024 Week 5, and the lowest for the Chiefs since 2012 Week 8 Chiefs had a 48.5% pressure rate on Nix in Week 1

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 2, 2026

That number stood in sharp contrast to the 48.5% pressure rate Kansas City recorded against the same quarterback in their season opener.

“Mack is also no longer the overwhelmingly dominant force he once was. However, he has still tallied five tackles for loss and three sacks through seven games this season and can legitimately help a contender like Kansas City. As such, his trade price is probably in the range of a fifth-round pick,” Heavy's Max Dible wrote on Tuesday.

The Chargers reportedly resisted trade discussions involving their core players, even after falling to 0-7.

However, their losing record could make holding on to a veteran with an expiring contract difficult to justify. Mack played on a one-year, $18 million deal and recorded three sacks and five tackles for loss through seven games. Dible suggested a fifth-round pick could be enough to get a deal done, although the Chargers might demand a fourth-round selection from an AFC West rival.

Chicago Bears could make Khalil Mack trade expensive

Kansas City would not be alone in its pursuit if Los Angeles opened the door to a trade. ESPN's Ian Rapoport reported interest from the Chicago Bears, giving the Chargers another possible destination for their veteran pass-rusher.

Chicago already made an aggressive move by trading two first-round picks to the Tennessee Titans for Jeffery Simmons.

A reunion with Mack could give its defense another experienced presence, particularly with the team's Super Bowl ambitions in mind.

A separate trade proposal from CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo outlined a possible deal in which Chicago would receive Mack and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The Chargers would get a 2027 third-round selection and a sixth-round pick in return.

That proposed package showed how much the competition could raise Mack's asking price. For the Chiefs, a fourth-round pick might be a reasonable cost, especially if it helped them beat Chicago to the deal.