While the Chargers have their eyes set on next Sunday when they open up the regular season against the Cardinals, they should still have something else on their mind, with that being extending edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu.
With contract negotiations reportedly reaching an impasse as the team heads into the regular season, securing a long-term deal immediately is crucial for six key reasons.
Exponential growth trajectory
Tuipulotu has shown improvement in every single season since the Chargers drafted him out of USC in 2023. He has evolved from a reliable rotational piece into one of the NFL's premier edge rushers.
- 2023: 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles
- 2024: 8.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
- 2025: 13.0 sacks (tied for sixth in the NFL), 32 pressures, 20 tackles for loss, Pro Bowl selection.
Heading into 2026, Tuipulotu is playing alongside veteran Khalil Mack and first-round pick Akheem Mesidor. Because of this imposing trio, opposing offensive lines can't
afford to focus entirely on Tuipulotu, leaving him with plenty of favorable one-on-one matchups on passing downs. With that, he should be able to consistently produce over four quarters using his relentless motor, heavy hands, and explosive power.
Five players had 10+ sacks and 20+ tackles for loss in 2025... pic.twitter.com/xlF9BWF0gu
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) January 7, 2026
No fifth-year option
Because Tuipulotu was a second-round draft pick, the Chargers do not have the luxury of a fifth-year option on his rookie contract. First-round picks can be retained for an extra year, but Tuipulotu will hit unrestricted free agency following the 2026 season if no deal is reached. This leaves Los Angeles with no safety net to prevent him from walking or being forced into an expensive franchise tag battle in 2027.
Still just a baby
Tuipulotu entered the league at just 20 years old, and he just turned 24 today. Because he is so young, his prime years line up perfectly with a second contract. He hasn't even reached his physical ceiling yet, making a long-term investment very safe.
Beating the edge rusher market
If general manager Joe Hortiz waits until the next offseason to pay him, they risk paying a premium. If Tuipulotu puts together another double-digit sack season under new defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, his market value could easily shoot past $30 million per year. Extending him now allows the Chargers to dictate a deal closer to $18 million to $25 million annually. Spotrac is projecting a 4-year, $75 million deal.
Cap flexibility
Signing Tuipulotu to an extension right now would allow the front office to convert a portion of his $5.76 million base salary for 2026 into a signing bonus. A signing bonus can be prorated across the entire length of the new deal. By keeping his base salary low in the first year of the new deal, the Chargers can preserve or even lower his current $6.2 million cap hit for 2026, creating immediate financial breathing room.
Securing the future
With Khalil Mack's playing days nearing an end, Tuipulotu is the undisputed future of the positional room and a core piece of the defense. Though Tuipulotu briefly executed a hold-in during training camp, he soon returned to the practice field and committed to playing this season with or without a deal. The Chargers shouldn't test that and should lock him up as soon as possible.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: 6 reasons why the Chargers need to prioritize extending Tuli Tuipulotu
