The hold-in of Tuli Tuipulotu has been the storyline of Chargers' training camp to this point in regards to the EDGE room. Tuipulotu has been off to the side at both days of practice as he negotiates his extension. Both the players and coaches seem to still have plenty of faith that a deal will get done eventually. It's more a matter of when than if (for now).
The glass half-full view on the Tuipulotu holdout is that it could be beneficial for the rest of the Chargers' edge rushers as they get more reps. That's where first-round pick Akheem Mesidor comes in. Mesidor's experience in this training camp getting first-team reps will likely assist him down the line.
Does Chargers EDGE Akheem Mesidor stand to benefit from the Tuli Tuipulotu holdout?
New Chargers DC Chris O'Leary spoke on what Mesidor can bring to the table without Tuipulotu practicing: "Any exposure for those rookies and those young guys is incredible," O'Leary said. "And it's so valuable. Him getting all these reps, playing all of these different positions is going to pay off down the line."
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"We knew it when he got here that he operates like a pro," O'Leary said of the Miami product. "He's mature, he's been healthy by taking care of his body. But I think what you see is just such a natural pass rush ability, the hands, the bend, the first step. That's another guy that when the pads come on is going to be awesome to see like how does he take on the run and all of those things."
Khalil Mack also spoke highly of how Mesidor has operated in his first offseason as a pro during his media availability.
"Akheem [Mesidor] bro, it's going to be an exciting year," Mack said. "I don't want to put too many expectations on him. But just where we're at right now and seeing how serious his approach is to the game. It's gonna be fun playing with him."
Mack claims that Mesidor has been highly inquisitive so far in trying to learn from him.
"He's on top of everything," Mack explained. "He knows pretty much everything that's going on in terms of the playbook and all of those different things."
"Certain questions that he asks are unique to him and him alone," Mack said of Mesidor's curiosity. "I can tell he has his mind set on the pinnacle. He has mind set on the awards, the sack titles, all those different things."
Mack said Mesidor asked about his mentality during his 2016 Defensive Player of the Year season. He also asked Mack about what he sees at the line of scrimmage when the play call comes in. "It's unique, it's just unique to him," Mack said. "He comes with certain detailed questions."
Mesidor is no stranger to playing extended starter reps after his long College Football Playoff run in 2025. But it's nice to see him get a little bit of an extended spotlight in training camp. As we saw with Mack's injury early last season, the third edge in that rotation is just one play away from needing to be a top two starter.
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