Mack, who has a $38 million cap charge heading into the season, is expected to play for the Chargers for the last year of his contract. He may be a cap causality if Los Angeles decides to release him because doing so will free up over $23 million in salary cap space.
The Steelers have the second-best odds to sign him if he enters the open market, at 5/1 on BetOnline.ag. At 2/1, they are just behind the Detroit Lions.
In addition to recording 74 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, and ten passes defensed, the 33-year-old just finished a season with a career-high 17 sacks.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are the Steelers’ starting outside linebackers, and they’ve performed admirably when they have some strong depth behind them. The squad signed Markus Golden the previous season, and Nick Herbig, a rookie, made an impression. Watt and Highsmith were able to maintain their health while they were both playing, combining for 26 sacks.
Mack is likely going to cost a pretty penny, even at 33 years old. The Steelers have roughly $13 million in cap space so far, but have plenty of options to increase that number with cuts and restructured contracts.
If they are looking at Mack, they’ll need to figure out the rotation between him, Watt, and Highsmith. It would also bring up questions about Herbig’s role. But right now, the sportsbooks believe Pittsburgh is one of the top options.
