Los Angeles Chargers Keep Khalil Mack Off Trade Market, Turn Away Calls On Justin Herbert And Ladd McConkey
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Despite an 0-7 start, the Los Angeles Chargers are still telling teams they have no interest in trading 35-year-old pass rusher Khalil Mack. He will not be moved before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT trade deadline, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday.
Rival general managers have also called about quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Ladd McConkey. Those calls have received hard nos. The Chargers also do not like the message of giving up on the season, according to the report.
Khalil Mack Has 3 Sacks In His 13th NFL Season
The Las Vegas Raiders, then based in Oakland, drafted Mack fifth overall out of Buffalo in 2014. The Chicago Bears traded for him four years later before sending him to the Chargers in 2022.
Now in his fifth season in Los Angeles, Mack is playing on a one-year contract. Through seven games, he has 21 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks, which ties him for the team lead in sacks, according to The Athletic.
There is no no-trade clause in the deal, which would leave the Chargers with no 2027 dead money if they moved him, The Athletic reported.
Mack has declined to say whether he asked team leadership for a trade. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh answered for both of them this week.
“I want Khalil Mack here,” Harbaugh said. “Khalil Mack wants to be here. He’s one of the pillars of our team.”
Los Angeles is the NFL’s only winless team. Harbaugh said this week that accountability has held up across the roster anyway.
“Honesty. That’s what I’ve found to be the best motivator,” Harbaugh explained. “They’ve been incredible. Team-wide, everybody is accountable. That’s the way our team has always been.”
One executive told FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano this week that he does not get what the Chargers are doing.
“I don’t know what they’re waiting for,” the executive said. “They should be actively listening to offers on everybody. I really don’t get it. If they don’t do anything at the deadline, there’s a good chance they’ll be just as bad next year, too.”
Chargers Shut Down Calls On Justin Herbert And Ladd McConkey
Over the first eight weeks of the season, Herbert threw 10 interceptions, more than any other quarterback, CBS Sports reported. His 69.3 passer rating ranked ahead of only Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones among qualifiers. The Chargers control his rights through 2029.
McConkey has 17 catches in six games while on a rookie contract that runs through the 2027 season.
At 14.1 points per game, the Chargers have the lowest-scoring offense in the league. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is working from the booth instead of the sideline in Week 9. Harbaugh’s priorities for the offense came back to sustaining drives.
“Making plays, first downs, converting on third downs,” Harbaugh said. “Keeping those drives alive and putting us in position to have the opportunity to keep the drive moving.”
The Houston Texans visit Sunday on CBS. After that, the Chargers play at the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football on Nov. 16.
