Since entering the NFL as the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the then Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers’ star Khalil Mack has been one of the most feared pass rushers in the league. What he has accomplished, personally, is more than most players can ever dream of doing.
Mack has six Pro Bowl nominations and three first-team All-Pro selections. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2016, when he racked up 11 sacks with 73 total tackles, 14 of which went for a loss and 26 quarterback hits. He also recorded three passes defended, one interception that he returned for a touchdown, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He has multiple seasons just as dominant as that one, which is why he was named to the Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team. You cannot ask for much more out of a defender than what Mack has accomplished, but there is one thing missing; playoff success.
In eight seasons in the NFL, four with the Raiders and four with the Chicago Bears, Mack has never won a playoff game. He has gone 0-3, losing once with Oakland and twice with Chicago. That is something that he hopes changes this year, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I feel like up to this point in my career, I’ve accomplished things, but ultimately we want to get to a Super Bowl and we want to win it. That’s the only thing on my mind at this point in my career,” Mack said.
The Chargers are considered Super Bowl contenders by many and it is hard to argue against. They are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, as the offense is led by young star Justin Herbert. Defensively, Los Angeles has stars at every level with Mack and free agent signing J.C. Jackson joined Joey Bosa, Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr.
Thus far in his career, Mack hasn’t been close to contending for a Super Bowl. But, if all goes according to plan this season, that could change with the Chargers, who look poised to take that next step.
