Chargers News: NFL Columnist Believes Khalil Mack Can Build HOF Case in 2023

This is a big year for the Chargers edge rusher

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the most talented rosters in the league. They're loaded with star players on almost every facet of their team, including the defensive side. One of their arguably best defensive players, Khalil Mack, will enter his second season as a Bolt, which will be the biggest season of his career.

Over Mack's career, he has established himself as one of the all-time great defenders and has made a worthy case for the Hall of Fame. The 32-year-old is going into his 10th season in the league and, at the moment, is a fringe Hall of Famer, but NFL columnist Kristopher Knox believes this could be a make-it-or-break-it year for Mack to make his HOF case. 

Getting into Canton as a pass-rusher requires both impressive statistics and individual accolades. 2023 inductee DeMarcus Ware, for example, has nine Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pro selections, two sack titles and a Super Bowl win to go with his 138.5 career sacks.

Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack isn't approaching Ware's sack total this season. He needs 15.5 sacks just to reach 100. However, he can approach Ware's awards list with an incredible season.

Mack has already made three first-team All-Pro lists and seven Pro Bowl rosters and was the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. The 32-year-old could potentially make the Hall of Fame with one more incredible campaign. Should Mack make an eighth Pro Bowl and a fourth All-Pro team this season while reaching 100 career sacks, earning a second DPOY award and maybe even lifting the Lombardi Trophy, he'll get in. Is that likely to happen? No, but it's not impossible for one of the most impactful defenders of the past decade.

(via Bleacher Report)

Realistically, the only real thing that is missing from Mack's resume is a Super Bowl. However, with or without it, I believe he is on the right trajectory to get into Canton. 

A Super Bowl won't be the reason he gets in or doesn't, but it'll be nice to have. In nine seasons, he has already made seven Pro Bowls, a three-time All-Pro, 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, and made the All-2010s Team. 

The resume is there, but lately, he hasn't been the dominant force he was with in Oakland and Chicago. Mack needs to prove that he still has some gas left in the tank, as a lot will be required of him in a big 2023 season.