49ers Want to Sign a 17-Sack Pro Bowler Following a Career Renewal
The San Francisco 49ers are only thinking about winning the Super Bowl, but they are also being linked to a significant free agency signing in 2024. San Francisco is being pressured to sign three-time All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack because they didn’t get to this position by taking their time strengthening the roster.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox outlines the reasons why Mack would be a “steal” for any interested team in a piece published on February 5. In 2024, he will receive an enormous salary from the Los Angeles Chargers. However, should he be removed, a team like the 49ers could step in.
The Chargers have a cap space issue, Knox noted. “They are expected to exceed the cap by $44 million, and eliminating Mack’s last year of deal would free up $23.3 million in cap space. Mack should be of interest to the 49ers as well. They signed Chase Young from Washington to support Nick Bosa, but Young hasn’t made the expected impact in nine regular-season games with San Francisco, recording just seven quarterback pressures.
Mack, 33, recently completed a career-high 17 sacks in 17 outings. Mack demonstrated that he still has gas in the tank, despite the fact that the figure is a little exaggerated (more on that later).
Mack Reverses the Time in 2023
Khalil Mack was one of the NFL’s best edge rushers, if not the best, for the latter part of the 2010s. According to Pro Football Reference, he reached the 10-sack threshold in four consecutive seasons and has 70.5 career sacks when he turned 30 in 2021.
However, 2021 and 2022 weren’t the best years. In addition to the Chargers failing miserably to qualify for the playoffs, Mack missed ten games in 2021. He then posted a respectable, if not spectacular, eight sacks in 2022.
There were doubts in 2023 about whether he had produced his best work yet. Week 4 then transpired. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mack’s former team, he exploded for six sacks. He finished the season with 17 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 10 passes defensed.
Mack was not included in the first or second team All-Pro roster for whatever reason. In either case, the Chargers and other teams, such as the 49ers, will have to take a close look at his incredible year.
What 49ers Could Be Required to Spend on Mack
Even with his comeback, Mack will still be somewhat expensive in 2023. His entire cap hit if he stays in Los Angeles will be $38.5 million. Knox stated that by dismissing Mack, Los Angeles may save $23.5 million.
The Chargers face a financial dilemma: since they must pay him $15 million in any case, should they just cover the remaining costs and hope that he can repeat his 2023 campaign?
The question then becomes how much Mack might reasonably anticipate once he is freed. It’s difficult to imagine him not requesting $10–$15 million from a new team. Although San Francisco’s cap space in 2024 is only $1.37 million, they could be able to afford it.
What are Mack’s priorities after that? He’s running out of time to get a ring at age 33. However, this is likely his final opportunity to land a big contract. Does he accept a lower offer to be on a top team, or does he go with the highest bidder?
San Francisco would be a great place for him to land if he wants a ring.
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