Career Timeline of Khalil Mack: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Khalil Mack, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Khalil Mack is a professional football linebacker currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. He was drafted fifth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2014 after a successful college career with the Buffalo Bulls. Mack is known for his exceptional pass-rushing abilities and is considered one of the top defensive players in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1982: 100th Career Sack

During Week 17 against the Broncos, Khalil Mack recorded his 100th career sack, becoming the 19th player since sacks were officially recorded in 1982 to reach the mark in his first 10 seasons.

1982: Fifth Non-Rookie with Three-Plus Sacks

In his Chargers debut, Khalil Mack became only the fifth non-rookie to have three-plus sacks in a debut with a new team since individual sacks were first recorded in 1982.

1982: Single Game Record

On September 9, 2018, Mack became the first player since 1982 to record a sack, forced fumble, a fumble recovery, interception, and touchdown in one half.

1993: Richard Dent's Sack Record

During the 2018 season, Mack's 12.5 sacks were the most by a Bears player since Richard Dent in 1993.

1999: Tony Brackens's Record

In September 2018, Khalil Mack became the first player since Tony Brackens in 1999 to record forced fumbles in the first four games of a season.

2002: Raiders' Last Playoff Appearance

In 2016, Khalil Mack helped lead the Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002.

2005: Robert Mathis's Record

In September 2018, Khalil Mack became the first player since Robert Mathis in 2005 to record sacks and forced fumbles in four straight games.

2009: Charles Woodson's Performance

During a Week 12 game, Khalil Mack became the first player since Charles Woodson in 2009 to record an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown in the same game.

2009: Redshirt Freshman Season

In 2009, Khalil Mack redshirted as a freshman and later broke into the starting lineup, becoming a productive defender in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). He was motivated by his rating in NCAA Football 11.

2010: Dominant Sophomore Season

In 2010, Khalil Mack had a dominant sophomore season, leading the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles, earning him first-team All-MAC honors. He was suspended for the first game of the season following an altercation with teammate wide receiver Fred Lee.

September 2011: Raiders' Last Victory Over Broncos

The game in December 2015 against the Denver Broncos, which the Raiders won, was the franchise's first victory over the Broncos since September 2011.

October 2012: Charles Tillman Wins Defensive Player of the Month

Khalil Mack was the first Bears player to win the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award since Charles Tillman in October 2012.

2013: CFPA Linebacker Trophy and MAC Defensive Player of the Year

In 2013, Khalil Mack won the CFPA Linebacker Trophy and was named the 2013 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He also became the first Bull to win the award in Buffalo's history within the MAC (1999–present).

2014: Drafted by the Oakland Raiders

In 2014, Khalil Mack was selected by the Oakland Raiders as the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.

2014: Projected as High First-Round Pick

Leading up to the 2014 NFL draft, Khalil Mack was projected as a high first-round pick in many mock drafts.

August 2015: Named NFL's Number One 'Making the Leap' Player

In August 2015, Khalil Mack was named as the NFL's number one 'making the leap' player. Before the start of the season, he shifted from linebacker to right defensive end.

2015: First Three-Plus-Sack Outing since 2015

Against the Raiders, Mack recorded three sacks and a forced fumble. The game marked his first three-plus-sack outing since Week 14 of the 2015 season.

2015: First-Team All-Pro Selection at Two Positions

In 2015, Khalil Mack became the first player in NFL history to be selected first-team All-Pro at two different positions, as a defensive end and outside linebacker, in the same season.

2015: Defensive Rookie of the Year Candidate

In 2015, Khalil Mack was considered a candidate for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year by analysts on ESPN's NFL Live. He was also selected to USA Football's All-Fundamentals Team and named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

2016: AP All-Pro First Team Selection at Two Positions

In 2016, Khalil Mack became the first player in NFL history to make the AP All-Pro First Team at two positions in the same year: right defensive end and outside linebacker. He was ranked 13th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

2016: NFL Defensive Player of the Year

In 2016, Khalil Mack was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He helped lead the Raiders to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro.

2016: Strip-Sacks in Consecutive Games

In September 2018, Khalil Mack recorded strip-sacks in three straight games, the first time a player had done so since Mack himself in 2016.

April 20, 2017: Raiders Pick Up Fifth-Year Option

On April 20, 2017, the Raiders picked up the fifth-year option on Khalil Mack's contract.

December 19, 2017: Named to Third Straight Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Khalil Mack was named to his third straight Pro Bowl.

September 1, 2018: Traded to Chicago Bears

On September 1, 2018, Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears and signed a six-year extension, becoming the highest-paid defender in NFL history.

September 9, 2018: Bears Debut on Sunday Night Football

On September 9, 2018, Khalil Mack made his Bears debut on Sunday Night Football, recording a strip-sack and an interception returned for a touchdown. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.

2018: Traded to Chicago Bears

In 2018, Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears for two first-round draft picks. He then signed a six-year, $141 million extension, becoming the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.

December 17, 2019: Mack Named 2020 Pro Bowl Starter

On December 17, 2019, Khalil Mack was announced as a starter for the 2020 Pro Bowl.

2019: Draft Picks

In 2019, draft picks from the trade to the Bears were used for Josh Jacobs.

2020: Brother Joined Bears Practice Squad

In 2020, Khalil Mack's brother joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent and was later signed to the practice squad.

2020: Named to NFL Top 100 and All-Decade Team

In 2020, Mack finished the 2019 season with impressive stats and was ranked 19th on the NFL Top 100 Players list by his peers. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s.

2020: Draft Picks

In 2020, draft picks from the trade to the Bears were used for Cole Kmet, Damon Arnette, and Bryan Edwards.

2021: Season-ending Foot Surgery

During the 2021 season, Khalil Mack played in seven games before undergoing season-ending foot surgery and being placed on injured reserve on November 19. He finished the 2021 season with 19 tackles and six sacks.

2021: Named to Pro Bowl for Sixth Consecutive Season

In 2021, Khalil Mack was named to the Pro Bowl for the sixth consecutive season and was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

March 16, 2022: Traded to the Chargers

On March 16, 2022, the Bears traded Khalil Mack to the Chargers along with a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The move reunited him with coach Brandon Staley.

2022: Traded to the Los Angeles Chargers

In 2022, Khalil Mack was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers.

2022: Finished 2022 Season

In the 2022 season, Khalil Mack recorded eight sacks, 50 tackles, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was also ranked 38th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

2023: Draft Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

As part of the trade that sent Khalil Mack to the Chargers, the Bears received a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, while the Chargers received a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Scott Matlock was picked with this pick.

2023: Finished 2023 Season

Khalil Mack finished the 2023 season with 17 sacks, 74 tackles, 10 passes defended, and five forced fumbles. He was also ranked 29th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.

2024: Earned Pro Bowl Honors

In the 2024 season, Khalil Mack recorded six sacks, 39 tackles, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery and earned Pro Bowl honors.