The Los Angeles Chargers have had plenty to be hopeful about in training camp.
Their class of rookies, including Akheem Mesidor and Genesis Smith, have shown a ton of promise in their individual and team reps. Nadame Tucker has looked like a potentially disruptive factor in the outside linebacker room, and most importantly, there haven't been any major injuries yet.
Rashawn Slater has missed the last few practices dealing with a muscle issue, but it appears that both he and Joe Alt are well on their way toward being healthy for Week 1.
The one storyline that has been lingering over camp, though, has been the looming contract negotiations for Tuli Tuipulotu. Tuipulotu is entering the final season of his rookie deal, and he and the Chargers still haven't found common ground on an extension. He largely sat out of team drills early in camp, but he's since returned in a full capacity. Chris O'Leary reported in his press availability late last week that Tuipulotu seems to be moving at full speed.
Beyond those early practices, though, it doesn't seem as though the contract will have any effect on the new season— whether it's signed or not by Week 1. Tuipulotu is locked in, and he's ready to be a gravitational weapon on the Los Angeles defense yet again.
Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu was "ramping up" in his initial absence from training camp practices.
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 11, 2026
on his contract negotiations: "Let the business handle business. I'm a football player."
He says he will play with or without an extension. pic.twitter.com/KuFxS0vTDN
Tuli Tuipulotu is ready to take the final leap into stardom in 2026
When the Chargers decided to release Joey Bosa last offseason, they knew they would need to depend heavily on Tuipulotu alongside their remaining veteran pass rusher in Khalil Mack. Almost no one expected him to break out in such ferocious fashion, though.
Across 16 games, Tuipulotu amassed 70 total pressures, 13 sacks, and 25 solo tackles, claiming the alpha pass rusher role from Mack and helping the Chargers defense maintain their dominance even while some of positions behind him underwent some turnover. If Los Angeles were to sign him to a deal this offseason, it would likely fall in the range of four years and $100 million.
He should earn at least as much as the $96 million Odafe Oweh got on his four-year pact with the Washington Commanders, although he likely won't reach the upper echelons of the pass-rusher market set by Jaelan Phillips this offseason.
There was never any real doubt that Tuipulotu would play this season. But to hear him say it out loud is a much-needed reassurance. Outside of Justin Herbert and Derwin James Jr., it's hard to argue that any player will take on more importance this season than the fourth-year pass rusher.
Mack may very well be entering the final season of his career. Although Akheem Mesidor has looked promising in camp and displayed maturity in his acclimation to Chris O'Leary's defense, there's also no guarantee of his production until we see it on the field.
Much of the Chargers' zone-heavy scheme is dependent upon creating pressure from a four-man rush. Minter didn't tend toward the blitz often, and O'Leary likely won't either.
Los Angeles, therefore, desperately needs Tuipulotu to match or exceed his production from last season. Thankfully, it feels like Tuipulotu is ready to take that leap, even as his extension negotiations linger.
Add us as a preferred source on Google