The New England Patriots were already tied to talk of a possible Maxx Crosby pursuit, but the Los Angeles Chargers’ 0-6 start has created a different name that should be on their radar: Khalil Mack.
Crosby was never a realistic target, and the Patriots’ pass rush has been good enough on its own through six weeks. Even so, that doesn’t mean the group is finished being improved.
New England has a promising piece in Gabe Jacas, but he still doesn’t look ready to handle every-down duty. That opens the door for a veteran addition, and Mack fits the bill.
The case is simple. Mack should be available at a reasonable price, and his expiring contract makes him an easy fit for the Patriots to take on. He’s still producing like one of the league’s best edge defenders, and if New England wants to strengthen an already strong defense, he’s the kind of player worth chasing.
According to ESPN, the Patriots own the ninth-highest pass-rush win rate in the league after six weeks at 53 percent. That kind of number might make some teams stand pat.
But Mack is not just any upgrade. He’s still holding off Father Time at 35, and he has started all six games this season with 19 tackles, including 11 solo, five tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and 3.0 sacks.
The Patriots would not need him to take on a full-time workload. In fact, that may be the better way to use him. His power, his counters, and his ability to win in obvious passing situations would play well in a reduced role, especially if it helps keep him fresh for the snaps that matter most.
Mack’s value goes beyond rushing the passer, too. He can still drop into coverage and hold up against the run, which makes him more versatile than most outside linebackers at this stage of his career. He wouldn’t be a must-have addition, but he could be the kind of veteran piece that pushes a very good defense closer to championship-caliber.
The Patriots have already seen what an elite pass rush can do to an offense. They ran into one in the season opener and again in the Super Bowl. With that in mind, adding another weapon to an already strong room would make plenty of sense.
Mack remains one of the best players of his generation, and a move to New England would give him a chance to finish strong. For the Chargers, with their season heading in the wrong direction, getting something back for an expiring veteran contract would be the sensible play. For the Patriots, it would be a shot at making an already dangerous defense even better.
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