Chargers GM Joe Hortiz Addresses Future of Key Free Agents, Contract Extension Decisions

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Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz addressed questions around the futures of multiple players with the franchise this offseason during his press conference at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Chargers have two edge rushers hitting free agency: Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh. Hortiz told reporters on Tuesday that the Chargers will try to re-sign the pair but those deals may take some time to be finalized.

“When players go into free agency, once the season ends, it takes a little bit of time, but we’ll keep chipping away at it, and we’ll see if we can get something done with them,” Hortiz added.

In addition to Mack and Oweh’s free agency, Los Angeles will soon need to make a decision on its future with edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. He is entering the final season of his four-year, $6.57 million rookie contract with the Chargers this season.

Hortiz told reporters the franchise has not discussed a potential contract extension with Tuipulotu. However, the Chargers want Tuipulotu to remain with the team for the long-term future.

“No, we have not begun them with Tuli [Tuipulotu] yet. We got a little bit of time to kind of focus on free agency. But we want Tuli around for a long time,” Hortiz said.

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Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) reacts after a sack against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Hortiz also told reporters he would be open to keeping Mack, Oweh and Tuipulotu around in the future.

“Yeah, I have no problem having a bunch of great edge rushers,” Hortiz said.

Hortiz Did Not Guarantee A Roster Spot For Mekhi Becton​

While Hortiz made it clear the Chargers plan to keep the edge rusher trio, he did not guarantee offensive lineman Mekhi Becton a roster spot on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to talk about that right now,” Hortiz said when asked about Becton’s future.

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Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers guard Mekhi Becton (73) runs on to the the field for the game against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Hortiz said the franchise will continue to discuss his future next week before finalizing a decision.

“Those are things that we will discuss,” Hortiz said. “We get back Sunday. All the coaches and staff will meet Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and we’ll finalize all those plans then.”

The Chargers would save about $9.7 million in cap space by cutting Becton prior to free agency.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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