Chargers News: Star LB Defends Khalil Mack After Being Called "Washed"

A star LB has come to the defense of Chargers Khalil Mack.

Though father time comes for all NFL players, there are those who defy being considered "old" for the league. One such player is current Los Angeles Chargers LB Khalil Mack. Despite being 33 years old, Mack is playing better than ever. 

Another "older" player is the current LB for the Baltimore Ravens Kyle Van Noy. Recently, Van Noy took to X to state that evaluators need to leave out the age of players when it comes to defensive players. 

Don’t tell em nothing KV 😂😂

— Khalil Mack (@FiftyDeuce) March 8, 2024

Most QBs play well into their 30s, along with some going into their 40s. However, defenders are often not the ones that make it that far in age before they retire. Still, players like Van Noy and Mack have proven this ageism in the NFL to be false. 

Van Noy secured nine sacks in his 2023 season, along with Mack pulling in a career-high 17 sacks. Naturally, Van Noy had to bring attention to people who mentioned that Mack was once referred to as "washed."

😂😂😂😂 you def in your prime!! Your experienced man child ass tossing kids out the club this season! You had 6 sacks in 1 game?!? And Folks sayin you was washed smh! https://t.co/4D3WNXUFAt

— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) March 8, 2024

Mack did have six sacks in one game, which was against the Chargers divisional rivals—the Las Vegas Raiders. The record for sacks in one game is seven, which was set by Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas. Mack was close to landing that record. 

There is likely no one calling Mack "washed" in the league right now, but his final season in Chicago in 2021 only saw him bring in six. 

Having six sacks is still nowhere near being washed, so it's odd that anyone would consider him that. Mack has 101.5 sacks in his 10-year career. He will definitely get more next season, whether or not he is with the Chargers.