Tuli Tuipulotou
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LA Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotou
The Los Angeles Chargers released EDGE rusher Joey Bosa, who was a five-time Pro Bowler with the organization. In his time with the Bolts, Bosa logged 72 total sacks. Now gone, Los Angeles will have to look elsewhere to get their pass rush production.
ESPN’s Ben Solak named third-year EDGE rusher Tuli Tuipulotu as an x-factor for the Chargers, who could see more production now that Bosa is no longer on the team.
“Tuipulotu cannot just be a splash player this go-round, though. He split snaps with Bud Dupree and Joey Bosa (when the latter was healthy) last season. Bosa is now off the roster, without much new depth behind. Tuipulotu will be a full-game starter, playing north of 70% of the snaps on a weekly basis opposite Khalil Mack — and you know where opposing offenses will send their pass protection help on third-and-long,” Solak wrote.
“If Tuipulotu continues generating explosives on an increased snap count while also finding more down-to-down consistency, he’ll be one of the league’s most impactful No. 2 edge rushers.”
Tuipulotu reached opposing quarterbacks 4.5 in his rookie season and almost doubled his numbers in his second season, showing development under the new coaching staff.
Tuli Tuipulotu On Year 3
Tuli Tuipulotu
GettyLos Angeles Chargers EDGE rusher Tuli Tuipulotu
With offenses no longer needing to prepare against Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu will have more blockers around him in his third season.
Tuli has started in 20 games of his NFL career so far; the 2025-26 season will likely see him as a full-time starter.
“I feel like every year I come into, it has to be a big year,” Tuipulotu said, via the Chargers website. “That was my mindset coming into last year and it’s going to be the same mindset coming into this year.”
“To be honest, I’ve been starting since my rookie year, last year and if that’s my role this year, it’s going to feel the same… I don’t think it’s anything different than what I’ve been doing.”
No longer going to be splitting as many snaps, Tuli could reach double-digit sacks in his third season.
Defensive Coordinator On The EDGE Rusher
Tuli Tuipulotu
GettyLos Angeles Chargers EDGE rusher Tuli Tuipulotu
Bolts’ defensive coordinator understands Jesse Minter understands what the team is hoping for from the Tuli.
Tuipulotu has doubled the amount of sacks from his rookie season and continues to learn Minter’s scheme and form a connection with the DC.
“He knows exactly what we want him to do,” Minter said. “I just want him to be himself. I think he’s got a great personality, he’s got a great vibe to him. Guys like being around him, guys like talking to him, guys don’t mind when he speaks every once in a while.”
“He’s ascending into that type of role, and ultimately I just want him to be himself… If he’s the best version of himself, we’ll be happy with what we get out of it.”