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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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Sports

High school basketball: Thursday's playoff scores

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High school basketball: Thursday's playoff scores

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

CITY SECTION

Animo Bunche 28, Animo Pat Brown 17

Chavez 33, Monroe 4

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Collins Family d. CALS Early College, forfeit

Kennedy 65, Van Nuys 34

Marquez 51, Elizabeth 15

Maywood Academy 33, Torres 26

New West Charter 28, University Prep Value 27

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Smidt Tech 14, LA Leadership

South East 59, Jordan 31

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Aspire Ollin 42, Annenberg 39

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Marquez 74, Elizabeth 38

Middle College 45, Stella 26

Monroe 48, Chavez 25

Poly 79, Grant 46

Port of LA 87, Dymally 77

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Sherman Oaks CES 85, VAAS 53

Simon Tech 39, AHSA 26

Sylmar 69, San Fernando 60

Van Nuys 59, Kennedy 57

Westchester 94, University 46

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GIRLS

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

FIRST ROUND

DIVISION 1

#1 Ventura 63, Thousand Oaks 40

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#16 Crean Lutheran 44, Orange Lutheran 39

#9 Marlborough 50, El Dorado 39

#8 Rancho Christian 81, Mira Costa 64

#5 La Salle 48, Flintridge Prep 33

#12 Chaminade 52, Claremont 45

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#13 Santa Margarita 56, Redondo Union 47

#4 Harvard-Westlake 71, Rialto 45

#3 Moreno Valley 61, Rancho Cucamonga 40

St. Monica 70, #14 St. Anthony 65

#11 San Clemente 80, Valencia 64

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#6 JSerra 66, Bonita 39

Riverside King 60, #7 Buena 52 (OT)

Esperanza 56, #10 Westlake 53

#15 Corona Centennial 66, Villa Park 43

#2 Brentwood 80, Heritage 45

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DIVISION 2AA

#1 Buena Park 66, Lakewood St. Joseph 59

West Torrance 51, #16 Crescenta Valley 31

#9 Campbell Hall 47, Glendora 45

#8 Portola 57, Camarillo 50

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#5 San Juan Hills 67, San Dimas 50

Diamond Bar 57, #12 St. Margaret’s 54

Summit 28, #13 Long Beach Poly 34

Oak Park 58, #4 Oxnard 36

Beckman 52, #3 Crossroads 41

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#14 Palos Verdes 51, Valley View 44

#11 Hart 59, San Jacinto 52

South Torrance 46, #6 Shadow Hills 34

Lynwood 66, #7 Los Osos 56

#10 Lakewood 58, Corona Santiago 50

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#15 Dos Pueblos 53, Saugus 49

#2 North Torrance 74, Paramount 66

DIVISION 2A

#1 Burbank Burroughs 40, Millikan 12

Village Christian 44, #16 Dana Hills 35

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Marina 70, #9 Placentia Valencia 51

Pioneer 56, #8 Oaks Christian 49

Sonora 59, #5 Antelope Valley 47

Torrance 46, #12 Los Alamitos 45

Corona at #13 Rolling Hills Prep

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#4 Fountain Valley 48, Bishop Alemany 46

#3 Chino 84, United Christian Academy 44

Corona del Mar 38, #14 Yorba Linda 31

#11 Brea Olinda 49, Fontana 31

Oak Hills 56, #6 Eastvale Roosevelt 46

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Trinity Classical Academy at #7 Segerstrom

Notre Dame Academy 57, #10 Canyon Country Canyon 55

La Canada 49, #15 Aliso Niguel 29

#2 Rosary Academy 62, Pasadena 41

DIVISION 3AA

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#1 Orange County Pacifica Christian 43, Troy 35

Chaparral 48, #16 Murrieta Valley 45

Santa Fe at #9 Godinez, Friday

Downey 55, #8 Arcadia 47

Mark Keppel 55, #5 Long Beach Jordan 23

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#12 South Pasadena 77, Moorpark 48

#13 Oakwood 59, Carter 22

#4 Highland 59, Holy Martyrs 50

Cerritos 60, #3 Lancaster 40

Beaumont 60, #14 California 27

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Ridgecrest Burroughs 54, #11 St. Bonaventure 49

#6 Great Oak 58, Grand Terrace 49

#7 Diamond Ranch 67, Rowland 59

#10 Culver City 52, Yucaipa 40

Huntington Beach 45, #15 Immaculate Heart 31

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#2 El Segundo 68, South Hills 44

DIVISION 3A

#1 Lawndale 34, Santa Monica 32

#16 Alta Loma 56, Glendale 53

#9 Gahr 56, Yeshiva 25

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Shalhevet at #8 Loma Linda Academy

#5 Desert Christian Academy 55, Coachella Valley 42

El Toro 45, #12 Ontario 38

Ramona 66, #13 Hemet 52

#4 Twentynine Palms 50, Pasadena Poly 40

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#3 La Serna 34, Santa Ana Foothill 30

#14 Whitney 40, Bishop Amat 37

Eastside 69, #11 Geffen Academy 36

#6 El Rancho 49, Rio Hondo Prep 41

#7 Palm Desert 47, Coastal Christian 34

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#10 Temescal Canyon 67, California School for the Deaf Riverside 48

Cantwell Sacred Heart 52, #15 Hesperia 35

#2 Temecula Valley 65, Sierra Vista 50

DIVISION 4AA

#1 Savanna, bye

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#16 Laguna Beach 46, Silver Valley 34

#9 Heritage Christian 61, Linfield Christian 49

Irvine 39, #8 Apple Valley 36

#5 Tesoro 44, Hesperia Christian 22

Foothill Tech 48, #12 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian 31

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Redlands East Valley at #13 Maranatha

Lancaster Desert Christian 49, #4 Temecula Prep 40

Vistamar 24, #3 St. Lucy’s 20

#14 Westminster La Quinta 51, Silverado 37

Anaheim 64, #11 Santa Clarita Christian 36

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Gardena Serra 55, #6 Northview 29

#7 Santa Paula 63, Elsinore 41

Tustin at #10 Canyon Springs

Milken 42, #15 Hawthorne MSA 34

#2 Leuzinger 49, Dominguez 43

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DIVISION 4A

Riverside Prep 58, #1 Sherman Indian 40

#16 West Covina 37, Rancho Verde 36

San Marino at #9 Mayfield, Friday

#8 La Mirada 56, Orange 42

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#5 Laguna Hills 46, San Jacinto Valley 33

#12 Schurr 43, Temple City 38

#13 Santa Maria Valley Christian 50, Colton 34

University Prep 36, #4 Packinghouse Christian 21

#3 La Palma Kennedy 41, Lucerne Valley 22

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#14 Arrowhead Christian 49, Woodcrest Christian 41

#11 Oxford Academy 46, Faith Baptist 43

Nogales 33, #6 La Quinta 31

#7 Warren 53, CAMS 22

Thacher 40, #10 Newbury Park Adventist 38

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#15 Pilibos 53, Duarte 52

San Luis Obispo Classical at #2 San Jacinto Leadership Academy

DIVISION 5AA

#1 Loara, bye

#16 San Gabriel Academy 67, Santa Barbara Providence 19

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#9 Fullerton 49, Fillmore 20

#8 Hillcrest 53, Adelanto 34

#5 Nordhoff 66, AB Miller 50

Avalon at #12 Westminster

Capistrano Valley Christian 37, #13 Anza Hamilton 34

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#4 Costa Mesa 65, St. Genevieve 48

Indian Springs at #3 Environmental Charter

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy 69, #14 Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian 7

#11 Patriot 62, Acaciawood Academy 6

Perris at #6 Los Amigos

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#7 Charter Oak 44, Bell Gardens 37

#10 Santa Ana 41, Carpinteria 37

Western Christian 53, #15 Victor Valley 47

Rancho Alamitos at #2 Redlands Adventist Academy

DIVISION 5A

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#1 Riverside Notre Dame, bye

Citrus Hill 49, #16 Riverside Bethel Christian 27

Sacred Heart LA at #9 Rosemead

Desert Hot Springs 64, #8 Excelsior Charter 26

#5 Arroyo Valley 29, South El Monte 28

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#12 Banning 51, Edgewood 48

#13 Bolsa Grande 44, Southlands Christian 24

Ganesha 57, #4 Summit View West 15

Pasadena Marshall 48, #3 Mesa Grande Academy 22

Jurupa Hills 48, #14 San Bernardino 25

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Mary Star of the Sea 51, #11 Santa Clara 15

Saddleback at #6 La Sierra

Workman 33, #7 Webb 20

Gabrielino 55, #10 Calvary Baptist 21

#15 Villanova Prep 53, NOVA Academy Early College 43

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#2 Shandon, bye

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NCAA committee recommends adding flag football as emerging sport for women

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NCAA committee recommends adding flag football as emerging sport for women

An NCAA committee recommended on Wednesday adding flag football to its emerging women’s sports program, a significant step toward it becoming an officially sponsored championship sport in all three divisions.

The NCAA said at least 65 schools are already sponsoring flag football at either the club or varsity level, with more moving in that direction. With a push from the NFL, flag football also has been added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The NFL has vigorously promoted flag football for several years, including starting a global ambassador program in 2022. Domestically, the league and its teams have been pushing for flag football to be sanctioned as a varsity sport in high schools around the country.

Once in the NCAA’s emerging women’s sports program, flag football would need a minimum of 40 schools sponsoring it at the varsity level and meet minimums in games played and player participation to be considered for NCAA championship status.

The NCAA’s emerging women’s sports program was created to help facilitate more opportunities for women and give schools more opportunities to sponsor teams.

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The last sport to move through the program was women’s wrestling, which was approved last month to become the NCAA’s 91st championship sport. The first women’s wrestling championship will be held in 2026.

Five other sports are currently in the program: acrobatics and tumbling, equestrian, rugby, stunt and triathlon. Five sports have previously emerged from the program to earn NCAA championship status: rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003) and beach volleyball (2015).

(Photo: Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images)

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Jets to move on from Aaron Rodgers after 2 seasons

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Jets to move on from Aaron Rodgers after 2 seasons

The New York Jets have made it official: They intend to move on from Aaron Rodgers. 

The team released a statement on Thursday that they are moving forward without the four-time MVP. 

“Last week we met with Aaron and shared that our intention was to move in a different direction at quarterback,” head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey said in a statement released by the team. 

FILE – New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) stands with teammates before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.  (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

“It was important to have this discussion now to provide clarity and enable each of us the proper time to plan for our respective futures. We want to thank him for the leadership, passion, and dedication he brought to the organization and wish him success moving forward.”

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Rodgers spent two seasons with the team, but suffered a torn Achilles just four snaps into his first game into his Jets tenure.

Returning from the season-ending injury in 2024, Rodgers’ Jets went 5-12 and fired both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season. 

Rodgers threw for 3,987 yards and 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 games for the Jets last season. 

“I personally want to thank Aaron for his time at the New York Jets,” said owner Woody Johnson in the statement. 

“His arrival in 2023 was met with unbridled excitement and I will forever be grateful that he chose to join us to continue his Hall of Fame career. From day one, he embodied all that it meant to be a New York Jet, embraced our fans, and immersed himself in our city. That is what I will remember most when I look back at his time here. He will always be welcome, and I wish him only the best in whatever he chooses to do next.”

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