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One position group now commands all attention with the Los Angeles Chargers. And all eyes are on one player as the season nears.
The Chargers are broadly being encouraged to extend the contract of star edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu who out of nowhere became one of the NFL's 10 best pass rushers in 2025. While not necessarily recognized as such, Tuipulotu stunned opposition with a 13.0 sack season ranking No. 6 in the NFL in sacks.
While Tuipulotu has taken plenty of headlines based on comments on a potential holdout, one NFL writer is looking to another edge rusher to prove himself in the upcoming season. He highlights rookie first-round draft pick Akheem Mesidor as a player to watch this year.
Bobby Kownack of NFL.com asked three questions of every AFC West team in his preview of the division. Among the questions he discussed, the Chargers' compelling edge rusher situation came to the forefront.
Here's what Kownack had to say about a best-case scenario lineup for the Chargers in the 2026 season.
"The offseason didn't bring any sweeping changes for the Chargers defense. Dalvin Tomlinson, 32, was their most notable signing to bulk up the interior, and they lost a few pass rushers, Odafe Oweh and Da'Shawn Hand, but largely maintained the status quo. Los Angeles did, however, spend a first-round pick on Akheem Mesidor, the ACC sack leader in 2025 with 12.5. There's enough pass-rushing depth that Mesidor won't have to take on too much too soon. More importantly, he has some stellar mentors in Tuli Tuipulotu, who was sixth in the NFL last season with 13 sacks, and nine-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack. The hope is for a seamless transition from Mack to Mesidor alongside Tuipulotu as the leaders of the L.A. edge rush."
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during minicamp at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In a perfect world, the Chargers are able to rotate Mesidor into games to spot their current stars, Mack and Tuipulotu. Some would suggest that the Chargers should increase Mesidor's role, but he will need to prove clearly better than a current starter to unseat them.
What Mesidor does accomplish is lock in a ready-made NFL player as a quality backup for depth. He safeguards the Chargers from catastrophe should Tuipulotu or Mack not be able to play.
Eventually the Chargers will pass the torch from Mack to Mesidor. How soon that happens will be well worth watching.
The Chargers pass rush will look to have another disruptive campaign as they push for the playoffs again in 2026.
Continue reading...
The Chargers are broadly being encouraged to extend the contract of star edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu who out of nowhere became one of the NFL's 10 best pass rushers in 2025. While not necessarily recognized as such, Tuipulotu stunned opposition with a 13.0 sack season ranking No. 6 in the NFL in sacks.
While Tuipulotu has taken plenty of headlines based on comments on a potential holdout, one NFL writer is looking to another edge rusher to prove himself in the upcoming season. He highlights rookie first-round draft pick Akheem Mesidor as a player to watch this year.
Bobby Kownack of NFL.com asked three questions of every AFC West team in his preview of the division. Among the questions he discussed, the Chargers' compelling edge rusher situation came to the forefront.
Here's what Kownack had to say about a best-case scenario lineup for the Chargers in the 2026 season.
"The offseason didn't bring any sweeping changes for the Chargers defense. Dalvin Tomlinson, 32, was their most notable signing to bulk up the interior, and they lost a few pass rushers, Odafe Oweh and Da'Shawn Hand, but largely maintained the status quo. Los Angeles did, however, spend a first-round pick on Akheem Mesidor, the ACC sack leader in 2025 with 12.5. There's enough pass-rushing depth that Mesidor won't have to take on too much too soon. More importantly, he has some stellar mentors in Tuli Tuipulotu, who was sixth in the NFL last season with 13 sacks, and nine-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack. The hope is for a seamless transition from Mack to Mesidor alongside Tuipulotu as the leaders of the L.A. edge rush."
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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during minicamp at The Bolt. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In a perfect world, the Chargers are able to rotate Mesidor into games to spot their current stars, Mack and Tuipulotu. Some would suggest that the Chargers should increase Mesidor's role, but he will need to prove clearly better than a current starter to unseat them.
What Mesidor does accomplish is lock in a ready-made NFL player as a quality backup for depth. He safeguards the Chargers from catastrophe should Tuipulotu or Mack not be able to play.
Eventually the Chargers will pass the torch from Mack to Mesidor. How soon that happens will be well worth watching.
The Chargers pass rush will look to have another disruptive campaign as they push for the playoffs again in 2026.
Continue reading...
