​One position group now commands all the attention for the Los Angeles Chargers, and all eyes are on one breakout player as the season approaches. The Chargers are widely encouraged to extend the contract of star edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, who emerged as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers in 2025. Although not always receiving the headlines he deserves, Tuipulotu stunned the league with a 13.0-sack season that ranked him No. 6 in the NFL in sacks, establishing him as a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ pass rush.
While Tuipulotu has generated plenty of buzz, a respected NFL writer is also looking ahead to another edge rusher who could shape the Chargers’ success this coming season. Akheem Mesidor, a rookie first-round draft pick, is highlighted as a player to watch in 2026. Bobby Kownack of NFL.com posed three questions to each AFC West team in his division preview, and the Chargers’ edge-rushing situation became a central topic of discussion.
In Kownack’s projection of a best-case 2026 lineup for the Chargers, the defense sees only modest changes. The notable offseason addition is interior lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, 32, who improves the interior presence, while the team bid farewell to a few pass rushers, Odafe Oweh and Da’Shawn Hand. More importantly, Los Angeles used a first-round pick on Akheem Mesidor, who led the ACC in sacks in 2025 with 12.5. The expectation is that Mesidor will not have to carry the load alone early in his career, thanks to the presence of proven veterans and mentors who can help him develop.
The article emphasizes the value of Mesidor learning from established stars like Tuipulotu, who recorded 13 sacks in 2024 to finish among the league leaders, and nine-time Pro Bowler Khalil Mack. The Chargers are hoped to execute a smooth transition in leadership from Mack to Mesidor, allowing the rookie to grow into a more prominent role while Tuipulotu remains a disruptive force. In a perfect world, Mesidor would rotate into games to spell the current starters, Mack and Tuipulotu, providing rest and preserving their effectiveness.
Some pundits argue Mesidor should be given a larger role, but the case is that he will need to prove he is clearly better than a current starter to unseat them. Even if his role remains more of a complementary one early on, Mesidor still delivers valuable depth and a ready-made NFL contributor who can step in if needed. His presence shores up depth for the Chargers’ edge-rush unit, giving the team confidence that they can withstand injuries or slumps without a drop in pressure.
Looking ahead, the plan is for the Chargers to continue leaning on their pass rush as a key driver of defensive success. The hope is that Tuipulotu and Mack can maintain their elite production while Mesidor progresses, enabling a seamless handoff as the young rusher grows into a larger role. The Chargers’ defense is positioned to maintain its aggressive, disruptive style, aiming to help the team push for a return to the playoffs in 2026.
In this envisioned scenario, the Los Angeles Chargers rely on a formidable trio at edge rusher, anchored by Tuipulotu’s high-end production and guided by Mack’s veteran leadership, with Mesidor poised to grow into a larger, long-term role. The combination of experience, talent, and depth could enable a sustained pass-rush assault, continuing to pressure quarterbacks and shape outcomes as the Chargers seek another strong season and a deep playoff run.