Chargers training camp report, Day 5: Khalil Mack proves he is still a ‘game-wrecker'

New York Times

a day ago

SAN DIEGO — The pads came on, and Khalil Mack took over.
The Los Angeles Chargers held their first of two training camp practices at the University of San Diego on Tuesday, and Mack single-handedly wrecked an entire series of 11-on-11 while going up against the second-team offense.
This was the Chargers' first padded practice of camp. Trey Lance was at quarterback, and the offense set up at the plus-30 yard line, facing a first-and-10. The starting defense was tasked with holding ground in the short field. Ryan Nelson, a former UFL standout who signed with the Chargers last week, was at right tackle. Nelson had no help to his side, and he was lined up across from Mack.
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Lance took the snap, and Mack sped off the line. He bent around the outside, dipped his shoulder and won the rush virtually untouched. Mack had a clear path to Lance. In a full-contact scenario, this would have likely resulted in a strip sack. As Mack got close to Lance, though, he peeled away. It was ruled a sack for a loss of 8 yards.
On the next play, the offense faced a second-and-18 from the 38-yard line. Lance took the snap. Mack beat Nelson again with speed to the outside. Another sack, and a loss of 6 more yards. That moved the offense back to 44-yard line, just on the fringes of kicker Cameron Dicker's range. On third down, Lance completed a pass to rookie receiver Tre' Harris on a comeback route to the left side. Harris was well short of the first down.
Dicker came on to attempt a 53-yard field goal, and he missed it wide right. A stop for the defense, courtesy of Mack.
'He's a game-wrecker,' safety Derwin James Jr. said. 'Khalil can do that when he wants to. Khalil is one of those guys. … You need a play, he can go in and rush and get the sack, knock the ball down, get us off the field.'
Mack mulled retirement after last season, but he eventually returned to the Chargers on a one-year deal. He is entering his 12th season and fourth with the Chargers. He turned 34 in February.
How much does he have left in the tank?
'He is the judge of that, honestly,' James said. 'He's not slowing down. He's speeding up. He's getting stronger. He's still buying in.'
dominated the day
camp report day 5 → https://t.co/rSY4XJ8r7x pic.twitter.com/TJa7yEk4zE
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 23, 2025
Mack had a career season in 2023. He was not as productive as a pass rusher last season after suffering dual groin strains in a Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns. But based on Tuesday's practice, Mack still has a dominant level to his game.
Mack also brings immeasurable value as a leader. He was back in the Chargers' facility not long after he signed his deal in March so he could work out with executive director of player performance Ben Herbert. He has taken young players under his wing, like cornerback Tarheeb Still.
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During spring practices, Still shared a story about Mack. Early in the offseason, Still was working out at The Bolt four days a week, Monday through Thursday. One Thursday, Still finished working out, and he said goodbye to Herbert.
'I'll see you Monday,' Still recalled saying to Herbert.
Mack chimed in: 'Why are you not coming in tomorrow?'
'You know what? You're right,' Still replied.
'The next morning,' Still said, 'I went to the weight room and we got the work in, and after that, it was an every Friday thing.'
Said edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu of Mack: 'He's the standard.'
Mack has made the postseason five times, with three different teams. He has never won a playoff game. It is the last box he has to check in his career, and that is what is driving him.
'You're chasing that feeling of wanting to win important games deep in the season,' Mack said. 'Being that I haven't reached that point yet, I couldn't give up on that dream and that goal for myself and for this franchise.'
'He ain't just all talk,' James said. 'He really wants to win.'
• Rookie cornerback Trikweze Bridges had a bounce-back practice. On Monday, Bridges was beaten for a 58-yard touchdown by receiver Quentin Johnston down the left sideline. On Tuesday, Bridges made three plays while in isolation in the deep part of the field, including an interception.
On the first play, Bridges was in coverage on receiver Brenden Rice, who ran a go route down the right sideline. The offensive line's protection was outstanding, and rookie quarterback DJ Uiagalelei had plenty of time. He saw Rice one-on-one with Bridges and heaved a deep ball downfield. Bridges stayed tight on Rice and challenged the throw, forcing the incompletion.
On the second play, Bridges was in coverage on receiver Jalen Reagor. The reserve defense was facing the starting offense. Justin Herbert set up at the 35-yard line. Bridges was one-on-one with Reagor, who ran a go route down the right sideline. Herbert threw to Reagor in the end zone. Bridges undercut the route, tipped the ball with his right hand and came down with the pick.
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The third play came in the two-minute drill. Taylor Heinicke was at quarterback with the third-team offense. The offense set up at the 50-yard line with 50 seconds on the clock. On the first play of the drive, Bridges was one-on-one with rookie receiver Dalevon Campbell, who ran a go route. Heinicke threw the deep ball. Bridges was again in perfect position and leapt to break up the pass.
The Chargers drafted Bridges in the seventh round in April. He has ideal size and speed for the outside cornerback position. After an uneven start to camp, this could be a sign of Bridges turning a corner.
'He had an amazing day,' James said of Bridges. 'I told him, 'Don't forget this feeling. Remember how this day felt coming off the field.''
• Johnston had two more touchdown catches in Tuesday's practice. He now has five touchdowns in five training camp practices. Both of his touchdowns Tuesday came in a red zone period while working with the first-team offense, facing the first-team defense. Johnston beat Cam Hart on a dig route for a 20-yard touchdown. Later in the period, he found space on a slant for a 5-yard touchdown.
Johnston's chemistry with Herbert is growing in real time.
'We're learning from each other how we can play best together,' Herbert said.
Herbert later added: 'Q's just my brother. We go out there, and it's not always going to go our way. But I know that he's got my back just like I got his back. At the end of the day, I can count on him.'
okay Q pic.twitter.com/9nZfQFmIln
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 22, 2025
• Rookie defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell continues to work with the third team. But the third-round pick flashed with the pads on Tuesday. He had a sack in 11-on-11 drills, beating center Josh Kaltenberger with a sudden explosion off the line. Caldwell has real pass rush capability. His short-area quickness makes him a threat to get to the quarterback.
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• Campbell dropped a touchdown from Herbert in Saturday's practice. He nonetheless continues to get reps with the first-team offense, and he proved worthy of those snaps in Tuesday's practice. Campbell had one of the best catches of practices, coming down with a touchdown from Herbert in traffic from 30 yards out.
• Left tackle Rashawn Slater sat out his third straight practice. He worked off to the side at the start of practice with Ben Herbert. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Slater is dealing with a 'minor' injury. Slater remains in contract extension negotiations with the Chargers. He is on the final year of his rookie deal. The Chargers starting offensive line in Slater's absence: LT Joe Alt, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Mekhi Becton, RT Trey Pipkins III.
• With the pads on, the Chargers held their first pass rush one-on-ones of camp. Bozeman did not participate in the one-on-ones. He snapped for Herbert in DB vs. WR one-on-ones. Johnson was at center for the pass rush one-on-ones. Johnson split his two reps against Naquan Jones. Jones won the first rep with a quick win on a swim move. On the next rep, Johnson showed off a sturdy anchor and smothered Jones. Backup center Andre James won both of his reps convincingly against defensive lineman Christopher Hinton. The biggest collision of the period: Mack's bull rush on Alt. Alt withstood the power.
• Four other Chargers did not practice Tuesday: receiver Luke Grimm, running back Raheim Sanders, edge rusher Kylan Guidry and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste.
• Harbaugh said running back Najee Harris is 'progressing.' Harris remains on the non-football illness list with an eye injury he sustained in a fireworks accident. 'He's healing and doing everything that he can,' Harbaugh said.
• The Chargers adhered to Harbaugh's requested tempo — outside of one play. Herbert handed off to running back Kimani Vidal on a stretch rush to the left. Linebacker Troy Dye filled the gap and knocked Vidal off his feet. That earned Dye a shove from the offense after the play.
'No surprise,' James said of Dye. 'Troy has been flying around all camp.'