Chargers EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu is in the midst of a contract negotiation with the Chargers. After the team extended S Derwin James earlier this spring, attention turned to when the star pass rusher would get his deal done. Tuipulotu is coming off of the best season of his career. In 2025, the former second-round pick achieved career highs in pressures (75), sacks (13.0) and tackles for loss (20).
Tuipulotu also had the highest PFF-graded pass rush season of his career with a score of 73.7. Without a doubt, the USC product increased his leverage in negotiations and future contract expectations. Tuipulotu said that he is letting his agents take care of negotiations, but notably stopped short of saying he wouldn't hold in if a contract wasn't done.
While he negotiates a contract with the Chargers, EDGE Tuli Tupulotu receives an honor for his breakout 2025 season.
While Tuipulotu awaits his big money extension, he received some good news in regards to how his peers view him. For the first time in his career, the Chargers EDGE rusher was named to the NFL's annual Top 100 list of players in 2026. He came in at #86 on the list this year.
No. 86 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@chargers LB Tuli Tuipulotu! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/gj4en5FqHw
— NFL (@NFL) July 1, 2026
Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs, Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty, and Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux all appeared in the video as they talked up Tuipulotu's game. Current free agent and 2025 teammate WR Keenan Allen made an appearance in the video as well.
Chargers who made the 2025 version of the NFL Top 100 list included WR Ladd McConkey, EDGE Khalil Mack, QB Justin Herbert, and S Derwin James. Tuipulotu's inclusion could possibly foreshadow Los Angeles having more names on the list than they did last offseason.
A player-voted honor is unlikely to affect negotiations between the Chargers and Tuipulotu in any significant capacity. But it is a sign that the league did take notice of the breakout season for the young pass rusher.
Tuipulotu will report to training camp for the team on July 28th along with Los Angeles' veteran players. Hopefully, an extension is in place so that the Chargers' defense can practice in full under new DC Chris O'Leary.
At just 23 years old, the sky still feels like the limit for Tuipulotu. Could another 10+ sack season cause him to climb further up the NFL Top 100 list in 2027? Time will tell, but his inclusion in this years' rankings is a sign that he's arrived early on in his career.
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