Chargers’ Khalil Mack, on the verge of 100 career sacks, reveals he nearly retired after the 27-point playoff collapse against Jaguars

Khalil Mack and the Chargers blew a 27-point lead against the Jaguars in the Wildcard round.

Chargers’ Khalil Mack, on the verge of 100 career sacks, reveals he nearly retired after the 27-point playoff collapse against Jaguars

Khalil Mack (Image via Chargers.com)

The Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack is currently having the best campaign of his illustrious career so far. He is verging towards a great milestone of 100 career sacks. Amidst this situation, the prolific pass rusher shared how he nearly retired from the sport after blowing a 27-point lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their wildcard game last season. 

That loss. It was triggering. I didn’t feel like I affected the game the way I wanted to, or the way that I know I’m capable of. I contemplated hanging them up, man.
Mack said via The Athletic

Mack revealed that he contemplated retiring from the sport since he was getting old and slow. He had only 2 sacks in the Chargers’ last 11 regular season games in 2022. So, he was already unhappy with his performance and the shocking playoff collapse almost made him quit the sport.

However, the Chargers’ head coach Brandon Staley, and pass rushers coach Giff Smith wanted Mack to think about his decision in the off-season. Furthermore, after some advice from his wife against retiring, Mack decided to continue his career and help the Chargers win the championship.

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I wanted to give myself another chance.
said Mack

As it turned out, coming back to play for the Chargers was a great decision by Mack. Even though his team is struggling to stay in the playoffs picture with a record of 5 wins and 7 losses, Mack is having an excellent season.

Age doesn’t matter, says Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack

After contemplating retirement in the off-season, the Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack returned to the game in the 2023 season and is now one of the frontrunners for the Defensive Player of the Year award. The talented pass rusher believes age doesn’t matter if someone loves what they do.

Khalil Mack Chargers
Khalil Mack (Image via SI)
The perception of how old you are and all those different things, I feel like that s— don’t matter. When you love the game and you put in the work, it’s always going to be a reflection. And I love this game and I come out and I work hard, man. Whether I was 23, 24 when I first got into the league or now, I’m still doing the same things.
Mack via The Athletic

The 32-year-old pass rusher has registered 15 sacks in the ongoing season, including six in a single game against his former team Las Vegas Raiders. He has already tied his single-season sack record and still has 5 games left this season.

Mack is currently one of the frontrunners for the DPOY award and should get the fifth first-team All-Pro nod of his career. However, he would be more focused on helping his team reach the postseason after a shaky start.

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