Future Hall of Famer's return announcement gives the Lions another EDGE option

The Detroit Lions will have no shortage of ways to upgrade their pass rush, and among those options will reportedly be a future Hall of Famer.

On Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Khalil Mack, 35, will return for his 13th NFL season, where he will be a free agent.

Mack has been healthy throughout his career, but he did miss time early in 2025 with a dislocated elbow. Mack still finished the season with 5.5 sacks, 32 tackles, four forced fumbles, and a safety.

That's a bit of a far cry from his peak with the then-Oakland Raiders, where he won Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. At the same time, he's just a few seasons removed from his 17.0 sack 2023 season. Offenses will still respect him, which would absolutely help Aidan Hutchinson.

At 35, it's unclear how much longer Mack will play, which could mean the Lions could nab him on a short-term deal. Mack would be a cheaper alternative to the Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby or the Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, especially if his goal is to win a Super Bowl.

That could provide the Lions with the flexibility to build up a rookie EDGE, if they choose to take one in the draft, instead of throwing them into the fire. Signing Mack could also allow them to focus whatever cap space they may have at offensive line and secondary.

The Bears could eye a reunion with Mack

Mack will be a popular free agent target for multiple teams in need of a pass rush. The Chargers themselves will likely try to bring him back, as Rapoport says bringing back Mack will be a priority. However, another team could also explore a reunion: the Chicago Bears.

The Bears see improving their pass rush as a "point of emphasis," to quote head coach Ben Johnson. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer also lists the Bears as one of the teams "keeping tabs" on Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby. Breer did not list the Lions as one of those teams, for what it's worth.

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Mack previously spent four seasons in Chicago from 2018 to 2021. In Chicago, Mack was named to First-Team All-Pro and Second-Team All-Pro once each. Mack was also the runner up to Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.

With the Bears riding high off a division title and playoff win, bringing back arguably their best defensive player in recent memory for a potential Super Bowl run may be an appealing venture for both sides.

Mack's availability is another reminder that the Lions do have options at pass rush, but they're not alone in their search. The Bears are also on the hunt, and which pass rusher lands where could help decide the NFC North, and maybe the NFC as a whole, next season.