Khalil Mack “Can Heat Up The Pocket”
March 4th, 2025
Joe hasn’t slept since the report connecting the Bucs and pending free agent edge rusher Khalil Mack.
What an upgrade that would be!
Will 34-year-old Mack, a likely Hall of Famer after nine Pro Bowl trips and three first-team All-Pro selections, move on from the Chargers.
That seems to be the buzz across the NFL.
Joe’s been digging in on film of Mack, who looks a hell of a lot better than Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, José Ramirez and every other Bucs edge rusher not named Diaby.
Here’s what former NFL safety turned BSPN analyst Matt Bowen wrote about Diaby about six weeks ago.
“Mack’s game has aged gracefully after 11 pro seasons. He had six sacks and 41 pressures this season, and he can heat up the pocket. With 107.5 career sacks and steady play speed, Mack is still a three-down force based on the tape.”
In the same January story, Jeremy Fowler, who pumped out Sunday’s news that the Bucs are likely on Mack’s scent, wrote of Mack:
“The sense is Los Angeles will make efforts to re-sign Mack, who will play in 2025 after he said he needed to take time to mull his future following the season. The Chargers believe he embodies the spirit of the team’s toughness. … … ”
Does this sound like a pass rusher who has lost his game?
Joe’s all-in on Mack on a reasonable one-year contract. He should be hungry to play with Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey, and across from YaYa Diaby — and against division opponents with questionable offensive line play. And maybe Mack even wants to come home to his native Florida.
The free agency siren goes off in six short days.
March 4th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Initially I rolled my eyes but I didn’t realize he had 17 sacks in 2023
March 4th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Man he’s washed up why do the bucs love these washed up players so much?
March 4th, 2025 at 7:57 am
I don’t believe he will be signed by the Bucs. Then again, I didn’t think Brady was coming, either.
March 4th, 2025 at 8:00 am
Bucs grabbed Shak after the Broncos didn’t pick up his 5th year in 2019. He was 26 yrs old. They picked up JPP via trade after his 2nd contract with the Giants and he was 29. Suh was 32 when we signed him in 2019. That’s three studs added to a d-line in two years, all of which were younger than Mack. This squad needs Mack, but at 34, he’s not the panacea. And finding another Suh isn’t the answer either. The inside looks good with Vea & Kancey. Licht’s goal will be to sign Mack and add another 4-5 year player who’s looking to make a Shak like splash on another team. Good luck JL, can you find lightning twice?
March 4th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Bucs could have a nice Edge room with Mack, Diaby, 1st round pick, Braswell, Nelson/Barrett. I’d love this move for a 1 or 2 year deal. Mack would be a great influence on the young guys in the room too
March 4th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Mack was one of the best in his prime, at least to all but Jon Gruden.
But Father Time, as we all know, takes no prisoners. He whittles away at your body until the sentence of death is eventually carried out. Meanwhile, some go quick and some delay the process. Mack has been holding his own against his undefeated foe, but he still has faded.
And that’s why I was against his signing … until I heard something interesting on PFT—yep, the old state income tax.
At near 12.5% for the California wealthy, Matthew Stafford would have to fork over nearly 6 million had he played all his games in the state—a minimum of 3 million if he played all his road games in tax free states.
No matter, that’s a good chunk of change for any player, and last I checked the Chargers play in California.
Never paying much attention to the zero state income tax “lure” in Florida, I’ve changed my mind after hearing about Stafford.
Perhaps there is a way to bring Mack to the Bucs on the relative cheap. I’m sure Licht is aware of this, and I’m sure Mack could help this defense tremendously on and off the field for the right “lure.”
Go get him …
March 4th, 2025 at 8:26 am
I wouldn’t be bummed if we were to pick up Mack, but I’d be happier if we got a younger, proven DE like Garrett, even if it costs us considerably more. Like you’ve said Joe, this is the year to move all the chips into the center of the table and there’s no sense being all in without a proven edge rusher.
March 4th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Old washed up Mack > JTS in his prime
March 4th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Go get Mack, and trade for another edge rusher. Draft one while you’re at it. Exhaust all options to put the opposing QB on his rear end!
With that said, I’d Licht likes an OL at #19, then I’m all for getting bigger and uglier in the trenches. Cheers!
March 4th, 2025 at 9:16 am
mack’s the type you add at the trade deadline if you’re a contender, and he fills a need…
otherwise, puff puff pass
March 4th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Love you see Mack in pewter and red!!
March 4th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Oneilbuc Says:
March 4th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Man he’s washed up why do the bucs love these washed up players so much?
^^^^^^^^
Didn’t you lose your player evaluation qualifications after you hyped Jameis as the next savior?
March 4th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Khalil Mack LOL! He is 34 and has talked about retiring. No thanks!
March 4th, 2025 at 10:41 am
So that fans on here understand, we’re not trading for a franchise edge, not for the sake of the future of this franchise. Brady era was a unique situation we might never see in Tampa again.
Acquiring veterans like Mack are most likely the scenario Licht is looking for and sack numbers aside, Mack is a tone setter, he brings an edge and personality that I think is missing on defensive side of the ball. We have some great dudes, but we don’t have “dogs”… to me this is on the level of acquiring a JPP and/or Suh.
Money talks though…any more than $10M per and it may be too rich for what he’s got left in the tank. Licht will have to do a lot of convincing, because without Brady, I don’t see the draw to come to Tampa vs any of the other “close” contenders.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:28 am
All in on Mack on a 2 year contract!
March 4th, 2025 at 11:51 am
Call me crazy but I say we offer him a 2 year deal. I think Landry will be traded for way more than expected.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Pass.
March 4th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Mack gave up a little last season to stay with the Chargers. After Harbaugh flipped a 5-12 team to 11-6 and into the Playoffs he might want to stay on that ride.
I could see the Raiders wanting to bring him in to partner with Crosby.
March 4th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Why did Mahomes lose?
Because the Eagles scared the crap out of him.
What’s the only way to beat the Chiefs?
Hit the QB.
What the only way to beat the Ravens?
Stop Derrick Henry.
How to beat Jayden Daniels? An ILB who runs a 4.4.
How to stop the Lions? Great offensive line.
We must prepare for our enemies.
We can’t win a Super Bowl without a nasty pass rush.
March 4th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Yes.
March 4th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Is there no chance of trading for Miles Garrett? He IS that guy and IS in his prime and if we draft rounds 2-4 correctly and re-sign Godwin and David, we will be in the Super Bowl!
March 4th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Landry.
March 4th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Garrett – Too many draft picks and too much cash against the cap.
Crosby – See above.
Mack – Past his prime, good mentor maybe. Only on a team friendly deal
Landry – Go get him. Younger and more productive than Mack. He has 2 years left on his contract. Especially if you only need to give up a 3rd, 4th or 5th rd pick. Throw in Dean if you must. If he gets
released as a cost cutting measure, there is no guarantee he will sign with the Bucs.
Then draft an Edge also.