The Cleveland Browns moved on from one of the best players in their franchise's history this offseason. Trading Myles Garrett was a controversial move that, in retrospect, always seemed inevitable.
While Jared Verse hasn't taken off yet and has been somewhat disappointing through the first month of the season, the Browns' pass-rush and defense as a whole have been better than expected in Garrett's absence. Of course, that doesn't mean the front office should stand pat on the heels of a 3-1 start.
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-4 entering Week 5, and they look like a broken team right now. Considering that, the Browns might replace one veteran edge rusher with another by making a run at Khalil Mack.
The Cleveland Browns should be all over Khalil Mack right now
To some players, age is just a number, and Mack is a part of that exclusive club. He's amassed 39.5 sacks since he joined the Chargers, and he's up to three quarterback takedowns through the first four games of the season.
Of course, a 35-year-old making $18 million a year might sound a bit steep, but the Browns would be on the hook for roughly $6 million if they traded for him now. Obviously, that number would only get lower as we approach the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
The Browns shouldn't panic about Verse. He'll get it together sooner rather than later, and it's not like they traded for him just for this season. Verse will be in Cleveland for the long run and has also been a positive leader in the locker room.
That said, losing Alex Wright for the season was a big blow, and this team had been in the market for veteran edge rushers even before that. Mack could start opposite Verse and be on the field in obvious pass situations, with Isaiah McGuire taking his spot against the run.
Mack is one of the most disruptive pass rushers of his generation. He's also a seasoned veteran and a proven leader — two things that would work wonders in such a young locker room. That alone would justify the move.
The former Oakland Raiders star still has plenty left in the tank. He's been one of the few bright spots during the Chargers' disastrous start, and it's hard to think of a better mentor for Verse than a player and person like him.
There will be plenty of interest in Mack as we approach the trade deadline, and he might be worth more than what the Browns are willing to give up. That said, Cleveland has three fourth-round picks and 11 total selections in 2027. It could definitely afford to part ways with some of that capital with an eye on leveraging what could be a promising season.
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