The Los Angeles Chargers pass rush certainly looks strong heading into 2026.
Although there's still been no update on Tuli Tuipulotu's extension, it's easy to imagine he and the Chargers will get something done before the start of the season. After his breakout campaign last year, Tuipulotu will take on the role of the alpha in the Chargers' edge rusher room in 2026. Khalil Mack has experienced a slow decline in production, but his athleticism and on-field disruption still make him a highly important piece for the Los Angeles defense. Some combination of Kyle Kennard, Bud Dupree, and UDFA Nadame Tucker will formulate solid depth at the position.
But who the success of the pass rush truly hinges upon is first-round selection Akheem Mesidor.
Mesidor won't be the sack leader for the Chargers in 2026, and it's highly possible he's not in the mix for Defensive Rookie of the Year. But Los Angeles was able to maximize its pass rush last season when they had all three of their main outside linebackers (Tuipulotu, Mack, and Odafe Oweh) clicking and complementing each other.
While the Chargers might be set for a more blitz-heavy approach in 2026, Mesidor will need to replace Oweh for the defense to come together in the same way— if not in terms of production, at least in terms of power and consistency.
Akheem Mesidor needs to flash some serious signs in training camp for the Chargers
Although there are doubts about his age and his immediate viability at the NFL level, taking a swing on Mesidor in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was the right move for Los Angeles. He finished his college career with a strong season alongside Rueben Bain Jr. at the University of Miami, posting 55 total pressures and nine sacks, per Pro Football Focus.
He has the alignment versatility and the athleticism to be a real contributor to an NFL defense, and the Chargers couldn't afford not to add a pass rusher after they allowed Oweh to walk to the Washington Commanders on a four-year, $96 million deal this offseason.
But to match what Oweh did for Los Angeles last season is a tall task. After Oweh was acquired from the Baltimore Ravens, his sheer power and athleticism in the pass rush shone through on a week-to-week basis, opening up additional lanes for both Mack and Tuipulotu as opposing offensive lines attempted to accommodate the Chargers' new weapon. Across 12 games with Los Angeles, Oweh posted 7.5 sacks and played 50% of the team's defensive snaps.
The Chargers don't need Mesidor to outpace Oweh in terms of sheer pressure-rate or sack production. But new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary will have his work cut out for him in attempting to replicate Jesse Minter's nuanced four-man rushes, and Mesidor will have a major part to play in that.
Although Mesidor impressed with his work ethic and consistency through the offseason program, it's impossible to truly evaluate pass rushers until the pads come on in training camp.
Mesidor needs to show signs of not only the power he flashed at the college level but of a nuanced understanding of the scheme O'Leary is attempting to implement. Part of the reason the Chargers were willing to go with an older prospect was likely because of his immediately high floor at the NFL level.
Mesidor needs to prove the Chargers correct in that regard— the viability of their pass rush depends upon it.
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