The pass-rush market is about to add some serious star power, with Kahlil Mack potentially becoming available.
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According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, teams across the league have expressed interest in trading for Los Angeles Chargers star Khalil Mack.
"[Mack] is one in particular that I know multiple teams I've spoken to have an eye on," Fowler recently said on SportsCenter. "Because he had the 17 sacks a year ago. Huge cap hit and [the Chargers] can save $20-plus million on their cap if they were to trade or move on. Maybe there's a trade possibility for a team in need of a pass rusher and there will be many in that market around free agency."
Whatever trade market exists for Mack inevitably was juiced by the NFL announcing that the salary cap would rise to a historic $255.4 million for the 2024 season, creating opportunities for several pass-rush-needy teams that were expected to be up against the cap get into the market.
Despite playing the 2023 campaign at age 33, Mack had one of the finest seasons of his career, producing a career-high 17 sacks, while adding 74 total tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Mack also logged 88 quarterback pressures, underscoring how disruptive he remains off the edge.
However, with Mack set to count $17.5 million against the cap, not everyone is convinced the Chargers will be able to pull off a trade.
"At that cap number," an NFC Personnel Director told FanBuzz. "It may be hard to move him unless the Chargers are willing to pay some of that down."
As the NFL Combine in Indianapolis begins, so too will the trade conversations and backroom free agent preparations in earnest, which could fast-track a Mack trade in the coming days or weeks.
Here are the five best fits to make a trade for Mack:
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders will likely be linked to any star player who becomes available this offseason, and for good reason, given that the Commanders have myriad holes to fill and a league-high $96.4 million to plug them with.
Moreover, new general manager Adam Peters learned under 49ers general manager John Lynch, one of the most aggressive and active executives on the trade market in the league. After dealing away both Chase Young — to the 49ers, and Montez Sweat prior to the trade deadline last fall, pass-rushers might be the most glaring weakness on the Commanders' roster. Mack could conceivably be a cornerstone of a rebuilt defensive line.
Houston Texans
Led by head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Houston Texans were one of the NFL's most pleasant surprises in 2023. However, the season came crashing down in the AFC Divisional Playoffs despite Ryans sending the kitchen sink at Lamar Jackson all afternoon in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Will Anderson Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft, burst onto the scene by posting seven sacks and frequently wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. However, looking to upgrade over Jonathan Greenard — who is set to become a free agent for the first time, could be a top priority for Texans general manager Nick Caserio.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have been scouring the the market for pass-rush upgrades since before the trade deadline, multiple league sources tell FanBuzz. Mack may present an ideal opportunity to upgrade a major need at a premium position.
After missing out on Young and Sweat, and with a mediocre crop of incoming pass-rush prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see general manager Terry Fontenot make a strong push to acquire Mack. The Falcons have plenty of firepower on offense, and some talent on the back end of the defense, but Mack would go a long way toward upgrading the front seven in a significant way.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati's Super Bowl window might be brief, with Joe Burrow's cap number set to balloon and uncertainty surrounding how long the Bengals will be able to keep Tee Higgins (who recently received the franchise tag) and Ja'Marr Chase on the receiving end of Burrow's passes.
Meanwhile, defensively, the Bengals finished just 18th in the league in sacks, with 44. Given that the Bengals face Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson twice each season, and Cincinnati's climb back into Super Bowl contention goes through the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and others, bolstering the pass-rush needs to be a top organizational priority.
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas continues its search for a complementary pass-rusher to Maxx Crosby, who remains one of the premier players at the position across the league.
While Crosby posted a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2023, as a team, the Raiders finished 10th in the league with 46. However, playing in an AFC West division that houses elite quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, pairing Mack with a player like Crosby is a worthy counterpunch and would go a long way towards building out a defense in the image of head coach Antonio Pierce. Given that the Raiders have $55.4 million in cap space, finances won't be a hurdle, but the Chargers dealing Mack to a division rival may be too big to clear.
