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Khalil Mack unsure if he will be back with the Chargers next season

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Khalil Mack unsure if he will be back with the Chargers next season

After a devastating 27-point playoff collapse two seasons ago nearly sent Khalil Mack into sudden retirement, the Chargers’ star edge rusher plans to revisit the decision about his football future with more care this offseason as he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Still wearing the wounds of the Chargers’ AFC wild-card round exit to the Houston Texans, Mack said Sunday he will prioritize his family while evaluating his next career move. The father of two will make sure to discuss it with his wife. He knows how impressionable his sons, aged 2 and 3, are at this age. They love watching highlights of their father’s football career, and spending time with them is of utmost importance.

But the 11-year professional who could be in the running for the Hall of Fame one day is still chasing not only his first championship, but his first playoff victory.

“I also don’t want to go out with a L, just based on who I am as a man and a person,” Mack said. “I’m a competitor, man. I’m the ultimate competitor.”

The 33-year-old Mack is one of many impending free agents who will weigh their football futures after the Chargers were bounced from the playoffs by the Houston Texans. But the annual threat of roster churn came with additional optimism in El Segundo on Sunday as the Chargers looked toward a bright future under coach Jim Harbaugh.

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“Just understanding what he’s done in the short time he’s been here, and the potential of the guys that are in the building, you see the growth is inevitable,” Mack said. “It’s only a matter of time.”

The Chargers went from five wins last year to 11 in Harbaugh’s first season, the best single-season turnaround for the franchise in two decades. In the process, Harbaugh “made football fun again,” said cornerback Kristian Fulton, who is slated to hit free agency again after signing a one-year deal with the Chargers.

“Honestly one of my favorite teams I’ve ever been on,” safety Derwin James Jr. said.

James is already trying to keep the band together.

Amid final team meetings, exit interviews and locker clean out Sunday, the All-Pro safety gave Mack his pitch to keep the edge rusher in L.A. The pair of defensive leaders earned Pro Bowl nominations this season as James notched a career-high 5½ sacks. Mack, who restructured his contract last offseason to take a pay cut and stay with the Chargers, earned his ninth Pro Bowl appearance, tallying 39 tackles and six sacks.

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Khalil Mack walks off the field after a Chargers win over the New England Patriots on Dec. 28.

(Vera Nieuwenhuis / Associated Press)

Although it was a decrease from when he revitalized his career with a career-high 17 sacks and 74 tackles, his highest total since 2017, Mack said his body is in “tip-top shape.” After missing one game this season because of a groin injury, Mack said the bigger consideration is the mental toll of a season and the time it takes away from his family.

The Chargers’ third Pro Bowl selection Rashawn Slater is under contract through 2025 after the organization picked up the left tackle’s fifth-year option last May, but could be due for a long-term extension soon. The 25-year-old had the second-highest blocking grade among tackles this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and earned his second Pro Bowl appearance.

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Despite coming off such a strong season, Slater said he has not engaged in any extension talks.

“I’ve always just been focused on ball and kind of let the thing happen how it happens,” Slater said. “But I love playing here and that would be great.”

In addition to Mack, the Chargers also face free agency decisions on starters, including center Bradley Bozeman, running back J.K. Dobbins, defensive backs Fulton, Elijah Molden and Asante Samuel Jr. and defensive linemen Poona Ford and Morgan Fox.

Samuel was placed on injured reserve Oct. 12 with a shoulder injury that he likened to a stinger Sunday, his first comments to local media since he was sidelined. He aggravated the injury during a collision in practice and was on the injury report for Week 1 but continued to play until it flared up heading into the Chargers’ Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos. Doctors advised him to take a cautious approach. He said both shoulders are affected, but the left one is more severe. It didn’t require surgery and he expects to be ready for the offseason program wherever he lands next year.

After the Chargers drafted him 47th overall in 2021, Samuel said it was “hurtful” to not be on the field while his team turned into one of the NFL’s best defenses. Under first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, the Chargers finished the regular season as the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, allowing 17.7 points per game.

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“The first year is a lot of bumps and bruises, but I feel like next year they’re going to be top tier,” Samuel said. “We was already top tier this year. So I feel like next year is going to take another step, and it’ll keep taking steps and getting better each and every year. We have a great coaching staff. We have a great staff in general, just the whole organization. … So we have all the pieces we need here.”

Those pieces could be a key in Mack’s ultimate decision. Past his initial estimate of a 10-year professional career, Mack has made it clear that if he’s playing, he intends to be competing for a championship.

For the first time in a while, the Chargers might truly fit the bill.

“As long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback, Derwin James and all these guys, man, that love the game of football, and you got Jim Harbaugh coaching you,” Mack said, “you know you always have a chance to win.”

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Lions star Amon-Ra St Brown explains why he isn’t fan of playing on Christmas: ‘Don’t even like it’

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Lions star Amon-Ra St Brown explains why he isn’t fan of playing on Christmas: ‘Don’t even like it’

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While football fans may enjoy some NFL football on Christmas Day, not all players share the same thoughts.

Detroit Lions star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown revealed on his “St. Brown Podcast” with his older brother, Equanimeous, that he isn’t a fan of having to work on the holidays.

The Lions, who play yearly on Thanksgiving Day, will play at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas.

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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) warms up ahead of the Washington Commanders game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Nov. 9, 2025. (Junfu Han/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

“The two biggest holidays I feel like in the United States, we played on both of them.” Amon-Ra told his brother.

“And I don’t even have kids yet. If I had kids, I’d be even more pissed. Like, you can’t be spending it with your family, get to see your kids open gifts. I feel like that’s something that a lot of parents love to see and can’t wait for.

“I don’t even like it, and I’m not even a f—ing father yet.”

EX-NFL COACH RIPS REFS FOR LIONS PENALTY THAT TOOK LATE AMON-RA ST BROWN TD OFF BOARD

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Playing for the Lions means Thanksgiving Day will always involve football, and Amon-Ra signed a four-year, $120 million extension last year. So, he understands Thanksgiving means work first before the feast.

But, as he said, both major holidays can be tough, especially for those fathers who want to be around their children and families.

It’s an added nuisance for Amon-Ra that the Lions also have to travel for the game.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Washington Commanders Nov. 9, 2025, in Landover, Md. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)

“Us traveling, it’s like, damn,” he told his brother.

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Amon-Ra is also dealing with a knee injury following the team’s tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. He was officially listed as questionable for the game, though he’s expected to play barring any pregame setback.

The Lions find themselves in a must-win situation in Week 17 if they want to make the playoffs. While Detroit needs to win their final two games, they also need the Green Bay Packers, their NFC North rivals, to lose their final two games to reach the playoffs.

The situation would’ve been different if the Lions hadn’t had Amon-Ra’s touchdown with 22 seconds left at Ford Field Sunday called back for offensive pass interference.

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A few plays later, Amon-Ra was called for offensive pass interference on the final play of the game, when he was able to pitch it back to quarterback Jared Goff, who flew into the end zone for what Lions fans hoped was the game-winning score. Instead, the flag negated the touchdown and the game ended.

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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford not concerned about Pro Bowl selections

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Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford not concerned about Pro Bowl selections

Matthew Stafford was voted to the Pro Bowl this season, but the Rams veteran quarterback stopped concerning himself about the recognition more than a decade ago.

In 2011, the then third-year pro passed for more than 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns for the Detroit Lions.

Stafford thought he had a chance to make the NFC roster, but Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Cam Newton got more votes.

“Wasn’t even close,” Stafford said, chuckling, on Wednesday. “So at that point, I kind of reserved myself to just go play, have fun and whatever happens, happens.

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“But it is cool to be a part of it.”

Stafford, who also was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2023, is a leading contender for perhaps the NFL’s most prestigious award — most valuable player.

Stafford, 37, has passed for a league-leading 4,179 yards and 40 touchdowns, with five interceptions, while leading a Rams team that is 11-4 and currently seeded No. 6 in the NFC going into Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons (6-9) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Rams are averaging 30.5 points and 396.7 yards per game, both tops in the NFL. They rank second in passing (270.5 yards per game) and fifth in rushing (126.3 yards per game).

In last Thursday’s 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Stafford passed for 457 yards and three touchdowns. Yet he was outdueled by fellow Pro Bowl pick Sam Darnold, who led a touchdown drive in overtime and capped it with a game-winning two-point conversion pass.

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Stafford is preparing to face a Falcons defense that ranks 14th overall, but eighth against the pass, giving up 195.1 yards per game.

Asked if he was surprised that Stafford has only been voted to the Pro Bowl three times, Rams coach Sean McVay said yes, adding that there were “a lot of layers to the Pro Bowl stuff.”

“You talk to the real football people. … I think he’s seen as a guy that’s one of the best ever to do it,” McVay said. “I think that’s been very well acknowledged this year but I think it’s probably overdue.”

Stafford has “elevated” everybody around him since the Rams traded for him in 2021, McVay said.

“The best part about Matthew is, he’s got this great humility,” McVay said, adding, “What he cares about are the respect of his teammates, his coaches and the people he’s playing against. And I think when you talk to those who know, hes got great respect and admiration for the way that he competes, the way he goes about it and what type of player he is.”

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Etc.

Receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) and offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (ankle) are making “good progress,” but McVay did not provide a definitive update on their status for the game against the Falcons. … The Rams opened the 21-day window for cornerback Roger McCreary (hip) to return from injured reserve. McVay said “most likely” that the Rams will open the 21-day window for safety Quentin Lake (elbow) next week to return from injured reserve. Lake is expected to be ready for the playoffs, or possibly for the final game against the Arizona Cardinals. … The Rams are off Thursday. They are expected to practice Friday at SoFi Stadium, and Saturday at their Woodland Hills facility.

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Steelers’ Mike Tomlin laments ‘volatile rhetoric’ across sports after DK Metcalf fan altercation

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Steelers’ Mike Tomlin laments ‘volatile rhetoric’ across sports after DK Metcalf fan altercation

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed his support for wide receiver DK Metcalf before the star player’s two-game suspension for throwing a punch at a fan was upheld.

Tomlin didn’t elaborate on his reaction to seeing the clip, which showed Metcalf near the barrier between the Steelers’ sideline and the stands. The CBS broadcast caught the interaction, which showed Metcalf pull on the fan’s shirt and take a swing.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on from the sideline during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025. (Mitch Stringer/Imagn Images)

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The longtime head coach acknowledged Tuesday the increasingly “volatile rhetoric” in sports.

“Not only (in) our business, (but) college, youth sport parents,” he said. “I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”

It’s unclear what the fan, who was identified as Ryan Kennedy, said to Metcalf that sparked the altercation. Kennedy was accused of making a racist comment and saying a derogatory remark about the player’s mother. However, Kennedy vehemently denied the accusations in a statement through a law firm. The statement said no hateful language was used.

Another report said that when Metcalf was playing for the Seattle Seahawks, he reported the fan to team personnel when he was in Detroit previously.

SEVERAL NFL TEAMS HAVE PLAYOFF-CLINCHING SCENARIOS IN WEEK 17

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Pittsburgh Steelers’ DK Metcalf wipes his face on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit.  (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

Tomlin didn’t speculate when asked if there were more teams could do to protect players in that situation.

“Me speaking on it and speaking on it in detail and particularly expressing my opinion regarding things doesn’t help the circumstance in any way,” he said.

The NFL upheld Metcalf’s suspension on Tuesday night.

The league said Metcalf violated league policy, which states players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and … if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.”

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He will miss the team’s final two games of the season and leave a boatload of money on the table.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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