LAC Tuli Tuipulotu
NFL player. Position: EDGE. Team: LAC.
Quick Facts
- Position: EDGE/DL
- Team: LAC (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Draft: 2nd round, 2023
- 2025 performance: 13 sacks (6th in NFL), emerging star pass rusher
2026 Outlook
Tuipulotu is entering the final year of his rookie contract after a career year with 13 sacks in 2025 (6th in NFL), with extension talks expected to accelerate after the draft. He's a cornerstone of the Chargers' defensive rebuild and one of the team's top extension priorities alongside Derwin James. GM Joe Hortiz indicated extension negotiations will "heat up" post-draft, and Tuipulotu should be next after James' recent $75.6M deal. The 2025 Pro Bowler may top his 13 sacks if he receives increased snap count as the team's leading edge-rusher in the new Chris O'Leary defensive scheme (per Every Team's Most Important Contract Extension Ahead of 2026 NFL Season and 2026 Chargers minicamp: Herbert's progress, contract intel).
With new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary's blitz-heavy scheme in place (vs. predecessor Jesse Minter's zone-first approach), Tuipulotu could see increased sack opportunities. His athletic profile and production trajectory position him as a potential top-5 edge rusher in 2026.
October 9 — Trade candidate ahead of deadline: With the Chargers struggling at 0-4 and ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Tuipulotu has emerged as a likely trade candidate. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys (2-3) are actively exploring upgrades on defense and view Tuipulotu's 24-year-old profile, second-round draft pedigree, and final-year rookie contract as an attractive fit. The athletic pass rusher with 2.0 sacks already in 2026 could become the "splash move" Dallas needs to bolster their pass rush alongside aging veterans Von Miller and Rashan Gary (per Cowboys' Jerry Jones expresses interest in making trades despite embarrassing loss to Buccaneers - CBS Sports).
Role / Depth Chart
Starting edge rusher in Chris O'Leary's aggressive blitz-heavy defense.
Injury Status
Healthy.
Recent News
- 2026-10-06 — Chargers fire sale at NFL trade deadline? Landing spots for Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu (Chargers fire sale at NFL trade deadline? Landing spots for Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu)
- 2026-08-07 — Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Vea and Tuipulotu (Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Vea and Tuipulotu)
- 2026-08-04 — Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu (Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu)
- 2026-08-02 — Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Robinson, Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu (Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Robinson, Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu)
- 2026-07-29 — Tuli Tuipulotu sits out opening Chargers training camp practice amid contract negotiations (Tuli Tuipulotu sits out opening Chargers training camp practice amid contract negotiations)
- 2026-07-31 — Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Robinson, Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu (Tracking 2026 NFL hold-ins: Robinson, Gibbs, Vea and Tuipulotu)
- 2026-05-21 — Will Chargers have more offensive line competition? Pay Tuli Tuipulotu? Mailbag - The... (Will Chargers have more offensive line competition? Pay Tuli Tuipulotu? Mailbag - The...)
- 2026-05-21 — Will Chargers have more offensive line competition? Pay Tuli Tuipulotu? Mailbag (Will Chargers have more offensive line competition? Pay Tuli Tuipulotu? Mailbag)
- 2026-06-20 — The Mind-Blowing Stat Behind Tuli Tuipulotu’s Looming $100M+ Chargers Extension (The Mind-Blowing Stat Behind Tuli Tuipulotu’s Looming $100M+ Chargers Extension)
- 2026-06-22 — AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win... (AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win...)
Open Questions
- Will Tuipulotu sign a contract extension before training camp begins?