5 Chargers Leaving L.A. in the New Year

The Los Angeles Chargers are back in the playoffs in the first season under Jim Harbaugh. Instead of having Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco leading the team, Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz have built a tough and productive team.

The Chargers torched the New England Patriots 40-7 to clinch their first postseason appearance since 2022.

With the outlook focused on making noise in the dance, conversations on the new year and the offseason have started heating up. Multiple players on this team won't be back in 2025 and we'll discuss five players who could be leaving Los Angeles in the new year.

1. Khalil Mack, LB

Back in 2022, the Chargers traded a second-round pick for LB Khalil Mack, giving them a dynamic pass-rusher off the edge. The University at Buffalo product has been a consistent and reliable player for the Chargers, missing just one game in his career with the team.

Over three seasons in Los Angeles, Mack has finished with 162 total tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 31 sacks. This season for the Chargers, the 33-year-old has 38 total stops, nine pass deflections, and six sacks. He's still a productive playmaker but his time in Los Angeles could be coming to an end.

Heading into the season, there was a lot of chatter that Mack wouldn't be back. Before the season started, he took a pay cut from $23.25 million to $19 million to stick around. As part of the restructuring, the Chargers can't place the franchise tag on the veteran defender.

Mack will be 34 years old by the time the 2025 season rolls around, and the Chargers may want to go down the younger and cheaper option at the position.

Mack's resume includes eight Pro Bowl nods, four First-Team All-Pro honors, and one Defensive Player of the Year award. He will seek one last major payday but don't expect that to come from Los Angeles.