Green Bay Packers Linked to Khalil Mack as Ideal Free Agent to Bolster Edge Rush

The Green Bay Packers have a number of important decisions to make this offseason, particularly with their salary cap constraints looming large. One of the most pressing issues revolves around edge rusher Rashan Gary, who is slated to earn $19.5 million in 2026. Given Gary’s inconsistent production, he could be a prime candidate for a potential cut. If that happens, the Packers will need to find a reliable solution to their edge rusher depth, especially with Kingsley Enagbare also heading toward free agency.

Enter Khalil Mack, a player general manager Brian Gutekunst had his eye on for quite some time. According to PFF’s Bradley Locker, Mack could be an ideal addition to the Packers’ defense, particularly to boost their edge-rushing unit. In his list of ideal free-agent targets for each NFL team, Locker highlighted the 34-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year as a potential solution for Green Bay’s pass-rush woes.

Why Khalil Mack Makes Sense for the Packers

The Packers’ edge-rushing unit struggled last season, ranking just 21st in PFF’s pass-rush grades. While the return of Micah Parsons from injury will certainly help, Green Bay will need to further bolster the pass rush to remain competitive in the NFC. Mack, despite being in the twilight of his career, still brings value as a situational pass rusher who can provide an immediate impact.

Locker pointed out Mack’s ability to produce on a per-snap basis, despite his age. “The former Charger produced a 79.2 overall PFF grade last season with a 77.2 PFF run-defense grade and a 13.2% pass-rush win rate,” Locker wrote. “The soon-to-be 35-year-old could bolster Green Bay’s pass-rushing rotation, which may or may not include Rashan Gary in 2026.”

Given Mack’s experience, leadership, and continued production, he could be the ideal veteran presence to add depth and stability to the Packers’ defense. His ability to contribute both as a pass rusher and a run defender would allow Green Bay to have a more complete edge-rushing unit heading into the 2026 season.

Mack’s Situation: A One-Year Deal in the Works?

Mack’s contract status heading into free agency is intriguing. After spending four seasons with the Chicago Bears, he moved to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. He re-signed with the Chargers last offseason on a one-year, $18 million deal. While Mack’s overall performance in 2025 was slightly down compared to previous years, he still managed to generate 39 pressures and 5.5 sacks. In comparison, Gary had 54 pressures and 7.5 sacks, but Mack’s performance on a down-to-down basis—especially in pass-rush and run defense—was still impressive.

Josh Queipo from PFF projects that Mack will sign another one-year deal, though it will likely be for a lower price tag of around $14 million, reflecting his age and role as a situational rusher. While that’s still a significant investment for a 35-year-old player, Mack’s proven ability to consistently make plays could justify the price for a team like the Packers, who need immediate impact players on defense.

The Packers’ Past Pursuit of Mack

Interestingly, the Packers were once in the mix to acquire Mack back in 2018, when he was traded from the Oakland Raiders to the Chicago Bears. At the time, the Packers were unable to land Mack, and he went on to enjoy a successful run in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles. This past failure to land Mack has likely influenced Gutekunst’s aggressive approach to player negotiations, as evidenced by his successful pursuit of linebacker Micah Parsons.

Now, as the Packers look to bolster their defense once again, bringing in a player like Mack could be a lesson learned from past near-misses. While Mack is no longer in his prime, his experience, leadership, and still-viable skill set make him a valuable asset that could help Green Bay return to a playoff-contending status.

The Bottom Line: Adding Depth and Experience

For the Packers, adding Khalil Mack would address two key needs: edge rusher depth and veteran experience. While Mack is clearly in the later stages of his career, he still has the ability to make an impact in a limited role, which is exactly what Green Bay needs as they look to contend for the NFC title in 2026. With Mack potentially coming on a one-year deal at a reasonable price, he could be a perfect fit for the Packers’ defense.

As Green Bay prepares for the offseason, all eyes will be on how they handle their salary cap situation, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding Rashan Gary’s future. If they decide to part ways with Gary, signing Mack could provide the Packers with a much-needed boost to their pass rush, while also giving them the leadership and stability needed to compete in a tough NFC North division.

Ultimately, the addition of Mack would make the Packers’ defense more well-rounded, and with an improved pass rush, they could once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2026.