Chargers re-sign Khalil Mack and Bradley Bozeman, reportedly add Donte Jackson
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It’s the return of the Mack.
Edge rusher Khalil Mack has agreed to a contract extension with the Chargers, the team announced Monday. ESPN first reported Mack will return for his 12th pro season on a one-year deal that will pay $18 million fully guaranteed.
On the first day of the NFL’s free agency negotiation period, the Chargers also agreed to terms on a two-year, $13-million contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson, according to multiple reports.
The 34-year-old has earned Pro Bowl recognition in each of his three years with the Chargers. Last season, he helped anchor the NFL’s best scoring defense with six sacks, 39 tackles and 15 quarterback hits and missed only one game because of a groin injury, the first game absence of his Chargers career. Mack’s durability especially stood out next to fellow edge rusher Joey Bosa, who struggled with injuries in the last three years and was released last week.
Sam Darnold and Aaron Rodgers are the two top quarterbacks available in free agency, but there are plenty of other top players that could be signing with new teams this week.
After Bosa’s release saved more than $25 million in salary-cap space, Mack was one of the Chargers’ top offseason priorities. General manager Joe Hortiz said at the NFL scouting combine he hoped the team could re-sign Mack before NFL free agency begins Wednesday.
Jackson had a career-best five interceptions for the Steelers last season with 38 tackles. With cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton both up for free agency, Jackson’s addition is critical to a young secondary that will also rely on second-year defensive backs Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still.
The Chargers flip-flopped interior defensive linemen, losing Poona Ford to the Rams on a three-year deal, while re-signing Teair Tart. Ford was a key part of the Chargers’ defensive renaissance last year, anchoring a run defense that went from 28th in the league to 11th. Tart, whose return to the Chargers was announced by the team, made a quiet impact behind Ford with 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. ESPN reported Tart will return on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.
The Chargers, who also released running back Gus Edwards on Monday, faced their biggest question mark at receiver and are set to lose Joshua Palmer. NFL media reported the 25-year-old former third-round pick will sign a three-year, $36-million deal with the Buffalo Bills. Palmer was the Chargers’ third-leading receiver with 584 yards receiving and 39 catches with one touchdown in 2024.
Needing to revamp the receiving corps to help quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers have already lost out on several key receiver free agents. Davante Adams agreed to sign with the Rams, and Chris Godwin re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trade target DK Metcalf was dealt by Seattle to Pittsburgh for a second-round pick.
Mack was slated to be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his illustrious career this week and said he would prioritize the opportunity to compete for a championship when considering his next destination.
Defensive back Elijah Molden agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Chargers after recording 75 tackles and three interceptions last season.
The Chargers haven’t won a playoff game since 2018, and Mack is 0-5 in the playoffs in his career.
In addition to Mack, the Chargers announced multi-year extensions for punter JK Scott and center Bradley Bozeman. Bozeman played the most offensive snaps among any Chargers player last year, starting all 18 games in his first season with the team. But the interior offensive line was an area of concern for the Chargers last year and Hortiz noted at the combine that change could be on the way as left guard Zion Johnson has been testing the waters at center.
Scott, 29, will return on a two-year, $6-million contract, NFL Media reported, after averaging a career-best 46.7 yards per punt last season, his third with the Chargers.
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