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Green Bay Packers encouraged to sign former rival All-Pro to pair with Micah Parsons in 2026

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 11:22 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers finished the 2025 NFL season 9-7-1, which was good enough for the seventh seed in the NFC. However, Green Bay lost each of their last four regular season games and fell to the rival Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs.

Injuries are never a good excuse for losing games in the NFL. That being said, the Packers’ pass rush was virtually non-existent when Micah Parsons went down with a torn ACL. It was plain to see that Green Bay was badly missing the First Team All-Pro, but the fact remains that the other players on the defensive line were not good enough.

That, therefore, is one area many would like the team to address under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

Green Bay Packers encouraged to sign Khalil Mack by PFF

Green Bay Packers encouraged to sign former rival All-Pro to pair with Micah Parsons in 2026 1 Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil MacK (52) is introduced for the game against the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

One player that has fallen out of favor with fans is Rashan Gary, who recorded just 7.5 sacks last season and was frequently seen jogging out plays instead of finishing them at full speed. And since the Packers can save $11 million by releasing him, many believe he will not be on the team next season.

All that being said, Green Bay still needs to add pass rushers to compliment Parsons, and PFF believes Khalil Mack would be a great fit:

“The Packers will receive some automatic addition this offseason as they await the returns ofMicahParsonsandTucker Kraftfrom season-ending torn ACLs. But even withParsonsback in the fold, Green Bay will need to boost an edge rushing room that owned the 21^st-ranked PFF pass-rush grade after its superstar got hurt.

“Whether or not Mack returns for another season is still up in the air, but his productivity isn’t in question. The former Charger produced a 79.2 overall PFF grade last season with a 77.2 PFF run-defense grade and a 13.2% pass-rush win rate. The soon-to-be 35-year-old could bolster Green Bay’s pass-rushing rotation, which may or may not include Rashan Garyin 2026.”

Mack missed five games last season due to injury, but still accumulated 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 12 games. A former Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders All-Pro, he is a sure-fire Pro Football Hall of Famer with 113.0 sacks.

The question, though, is whether or not Mack even wants to play in the NFL in 2026. He opt for retirement.

That being said, Spotrac has his market value as one year and $18.4 million, which may be too rich for Green Bay. If he would agree to something closer to $12-15 million a year, though, he would be a great short-term compliment to Parsons.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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