The Los Angeles Chargers released EDGE rusher Joey Bosa, who was a five-time Pro Bowler with the organization. In his time with the Bolts, Bosa logged 72 total sacks. Now gone, Los Angeles will have to look elsewhere to get their pass rush production.
ESPN's Ben Solak named third-year EDGE rusher Tuli Tuipulotu as an x-factor for the Chargers, who could see more production now that Bosa is no longer on the team.
"Tuipulotu cannot just be a splash player this go-round, though. He split snaps with Bud Dupree and Joey Bosa (when the latter was healthy) last season. Bosa is now off the roster, without much new depth behind. Tuipulotu will be a full-game starter, playing north of 70% of the snaps on a weekly basis opposite Khalil Mack -- and you know where opposing offenses will send their pass protection help on third-and-long," Solak wrote.
"If Tuipulotu continues generating explosives on an increased snap count while also finding more down-to-down consistency, he'll be one of the league's most impactful No. 2 edge rushers."
Tuipulotu reached opposing quarterbacks 4.5 in his rookie season and almost doubled his numbers in his second season, showing development under the new coaching staff.
With offenses no longer needing to prepare against Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu will have more blockers around him in his third season.
Tuli has started in 20 games of his NFL career so far; the 2025-26 season will likely see him as a full-time starter.
"I feel like every year I come into, it has to be a big year," Tuipulotu said, via the Chargers website. "That was my mindset coming into last year and it's going to be the same mindset coming into this year."