The Buffalo Bills made one major move before the NFL trade deadline, acquiring safety Amani Hooker from the Tennessee Titans. But analyst Saad Yousuf also suggested a hypothetical deal that would have brought Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack to Buffalo.
The trade deadline passed on November 10, meaning the Bills will have to wait until the offseason to make another trade. For now, they can strengthen the roster only by signing available veteran free agents.
Yousuf included a proposed Mack-to-Buffalo trade among five deals he wished had happened. He argued that the Bills’ defense had struggled throughout the season and could use help or depth at every level. Adding a pass rusher such as Mack, he wrote, could have bolstered a defense expected to play with a lead.
Mack also has a connection to the area: He played college football in Buffalo. Yousuf suggested the Chargers, who were winless at the time, could have looked to trade players on expiring contracts to help their future.
## What Might a Mack Trade Have Cost Buffalo?
Mack did not appear to be available, as the Chargers showed little interest in making deals despite their 0–8 record. Still, several NFL executives estimated his trade value at around a fifth-round pick.
Buffalo had two fifth-round picks after the Hooker trade, but a deal would have required both teams to agree. The Chargers ultimately did not trade Mack before the deadline.
## Mack Could Become a Free-Agent Option
The Bills could have another opportunity to pursue Mack during the offseason. The nine-time Pro Bowl pass rusher is set to become a free agent after playing for the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million contract in 2026.
Mack has earned more than $205 million over 13 NFL seasons. His price on the open market remains uncertain, while Buffalo faces a significant salary-cap challenge. The team is projected to be more than $47 million over the 2027 cap, so it would need to create room to pursue a marquee free agent.
