EL SEGUNDO — Khalil Mack didn’t hesitate when the question was asked the other day.
Yes, he’s ring chasing in his 13th season in the NFL.
No, he’s not willing to do it with another team.
His feet were planted firmly in El Segundo on a recent afternoon.
His heart was still with the Chargers, the team he hopes to one day lead to a Super Bowl championship. That it’s unlikely to happen this season, that the Chargers are 0-5 going into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, doesn’t deter him in the least.
“Still ring chasing here, bro,” said Mack, a 35-year-old outside linebacker, a likely Hall of Famer. “I’ve got total faith in this team, in this organization. So, I’m not really thinking about anything outside of being here today, growing and getting better and looking at the film. I’m getting ready for tomorrow and getting ready to travel to Kansas City and get a win.”
Why be so optimistic when things look so bleak?
After all, no team has rallied from an 0-5 start to make the playoffs.
The Chargers’ start is their worst since going 0-5 to begin the 2003 season.
“Waking up and just having an opportunity to come in here and play this great game of football, man,” Mack said, repeating things he has said in good times and bad. “It’s always another opportunity to go out and get a win, bro. That’s all I can really focus on, you know what I mean?”
The league’s rumor mill hasn’t been cranked up to top speed yet, but it’s getting there, what with the trade deadline set for Nov. 10. Mack’s name has been featured prominently and frequently as the Chargers’ losses have piled up and, from the outside, it looks as if a sell-off is upcoming.
Mack signed a one-season, $18-million contract with the Chargers in March, returning for his fifth season with the team. He remains an integral part of the roster, one of four pillars along with safety Derwin James Jr., left tackle Rashawn Slater and quarterback Justin Herbert.
What’s more, Mack is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection. He is seventh among active players in career sacks with 116, including three this season. He needs two more sacks to become only the fourth player since 1990 with five or more in 12 consecutive seasons. He set his career high of 17 in 2023 with the Chargers. He’s 0-6 in his career in the playoffs, though.
As far as Mack is concerned, any trade talk is just talk.
“Like I just told you, I’m focused on this team,” he said. “I’m being where my feet are at, and I feel like the outside noise is the outside noise. You’ve got to control your controllables, and I’m controlling them every day I come in (to the practice facility). Give it everything I can to this team. I’m me. I mean, every day I step in here, whether I’m home, whether I’m away, I wake up and I’m myself every day, and I can’t be nothing other than that, you know what I’m saying?”
INJURY REPORT
The Chargers placed 20 players on their injury report to start the week. Eight dropped off Friday, including wide receivers Quentin Johnston (chest) and Ladd McConkey (foot) plus tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) and safety Elijah Molden (hamstring). All will play Sunday.
However, Pro Bowl right tackle Joe Alt (neck), left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), wide receiver Tre’ Harris (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring and safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) were ruled out for the Chargers’ final game before their bye in Week 7.
Cornerback Rodney Shelley (hamstring) was listed as doubtful. Defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell (knee), outside linebacker Bud Dupree (neck), linebacker Daiyan Henley (knee), wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (hamstring), wide receiver Brenen Thompson (quadricep) and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson (hamstring) were listed as questionable.