Tuli Tuipulotu has emerged as one of the best young pass rushers not just on the LA Chargers, but the entire NFL. The 2023 second-round pick is entering the last year of his rookie contract with the Chargers, setting him up for an extension in what is a lucrative edge-rusher market.
Even with his ascension to a true top-tier pass rusher, the Chargers have taken their time with Tuipulotu's extension. No deal has been struck before the start of training camp, resulting in a situation that Chargers fans are all too familiar with: a hold-in.
The Chargers kicked off training camp on Wednesday and while Tuipulotu showed up, he understandably is not practicing. The 23-year-old edge rusher was seen working out with a trainer on the side, which will inevitably be his home on the practice field until ink hits paper on a new contract.
Tuli Tuipulotu's hold-in isn't surprising, but the Chargers must still act fast
It's no surprise that Tuipulotu isn't practicing at the start of Chargers training camp and it shouldn't be viewed as a concerning update for his future with the team. The last thing Tuipulotu needs is to risk injury during practice in the middle of life-changing contract talks.
Chargers fans have seen this before and they will inevitably see it again. Rashawn Slater is the most recent big name to hold in during training camp and the Chargers got a deal done quickly with their start tackle. Joe Hortiz and the front office need to act with the same urgency with Tuipulotu.
There may not be any animosity now, but the longer the Chargers let this play out the more they risk this getting weird with arguably their best defensive player. The last thing the Chargers need before a hopeful Super Bowl run is a distraction. If this lasts longer than a few days, it officially becomes a distraction.
Tuli Tuipulotu's extension with the Chargers should be worth $100 million
It sounds like a lot, but the starting point for Tuipulotu's camp is nine figures. That is what the edge-rusher market dictates and Tuipulotu has proven that he deserves to be near the top of the market.
Unlike Slater and other stars in Chargers' past, Tuipulotu is not going to reset the market at his position. Doing so would result in a contract over $150 million that pays him over $50 million a season. As great as Tuipulotu is, he hasn't earned the right to become the highest paid edge rusher in the league.
However, Tuipulotu will undoubtedly ask for (and should get) more than his former teammate, Odafe Oweh, received from the Washington Commanders. Oweh signed a four-year, $96 million contract as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Tuipulotu is just as impactful as Oweh and is younger. The arrow is only pointing up for his NFL career. Any number lower than what Oweh got would be disrespectful to Tuipulotu. The starting price is a firm $100 million, and quite frankly, the Chargers may need to still throw in an extra $20 million to get the deal done.
It sounds like a lot, but Tuipulotu is the future of the Chargers' defense. The Chargers have every reason to get this done as soon as possible.
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