Chargers News: Could Khalil Mack Be Bolts Biggest Cap Room Casualty?

Khalil Mack may have played his final game with the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers finally have their premiere head coach in Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh has also been coupled with Joe Horitz, formerly the Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel. 

Despite the excitement about the team's new direction being all that is talked about, there will need to be some tough conversations to have. For instance, who on the team will be cut based on their cap room hit? 

The Chargers are currently one of the worst-off teams in terms of cap space heading into the 2024 season. They are around $45 million over the cap and have free agents aplenty. 

However, there are quality players that might want to be retained, but might not be able to. One of those is perennial linebacker Khalil Mack. Mack came over from the Bears and logged 8 sacks in his 2022 debut season with the Chargers. 

He has since more than doubled that number, as he secured a career-high 17 sacks in 2023. Despite being 32 years old, he is still playing like a much younger man. 

The issue is that Mack has an expensive cap hit of about $38 million. The team could attempt to restructure Mack's contract, but there is no telling what he will want to do. 

According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, the Chargers could save $23 million but simply cutting him. They may also find a trade partner to get some much-needed draft capital. 

Mack has voiced plenty of frustration with the team after being under Brandon Staley who all but wasted the defensive capabilities of the team. There is a brand-new structure in place and Mack could want to stick around to see if he can finally chase a ring with the Chargers. 

While Harbaugh's arrival does not necessarily mean there will be a Super Bowl appearance, he has turned around every team he has ever been on. 

The issue will be if Horitz and Harbaugh decide together that cutting Mack to save some cap room space is worth more than keeping him.