EL SEGUNDO — Tuli Tuipulotu shrugged Monday when asked about the contract extension that hasn’t materialized. He is in the final season of his four-season rookie contract, which carries a salary cap hit of roughly $6.2 million, which isn’t exactly chump change, but he’s also eligible for a much more lucrative extension.
A new deal for the standout outside linebacker was one of the top storylines going into spring practices and then training camp, but it has faded into the background with the Chargers preparing for Sunday afternoon’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. There’s so much more to talk about now.
“I’m just ready to play the season,” said Tuipulotu, who had a career-high and team-best 13 sacks during the 2025 season, which seemed to indicate a big, fat extension could be coming his way. “That’s kind of where my mind is at. Let’s play ball, play good for my team and win games. That’s pretty much it.”
Tuipulotu emerged as a menacing counterpart to likely Hall of Fame teammate Khalil Mack not long after the Chargers drafted him in the second round out of USC in 2023. He earned praise for his pass-rushing ability but also his play on special teams in his first two seasons, in particular.
Then, Tuipulotu took his game to an entirely different level last season, eclipsing Mack as the Chargers’ top edge rusher. Mack had 5½ sacks, missing four games after suffering an elbow injury in a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 last season.
Tuipulotu filled the void in Mack’s absence, going on to earn his first Pro Bowl selection.
After 4½ sacks as a rookie and 8½ as a second-year player, Tuipulotu became a serious problem for opposing quarterbacks in his third season. Where he once served as an understudy to Mack and Joey Bosa in his first two seasons in the NFL, and after a stellar career with the Trojans, he’s now considered a pillar of the defense.
Tuipulotu expects more this season, from himself and his teammates.
Eleven victories and a wild-card loss in each of the past two seasons wasn’t exactly satisfying for him. He’s hungry for more. Many of the faces are the same, including Mack, who is back for his fifth season with the Chargers and his 13th in the NFL overall. Plus, there’s a new defensive coordinator in Chris O’Leary.
Jesse Minter departed to become the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, after serving two seasons as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator. The Chargers were the NFL’s stingiest team in Minter’s first season on Jim Harbaugh’s staff and ninth in points allowed in his second.
“I’m not looking to see what’s happening, but it always pops up on my phone,” Tuipulotu said of the various offseason moves to bolster the roster. “So, I always see them. I think we’ve got some great, great players in free agency, some great, great players in the draft, man. So, I’m excited.”
Of the return of Mack for another season with the Chargers, Tuipulotu said of his mentor, “I hope he stays five more years, you know what I’m saying? I’m grateful, I’m honored to even play next to him. Man, it’s a blessing. You know, he doesn’t like it when you bring it up to him, but, yeah, that’s a Hall of Famer right there.”
EXTRA POINTS
Rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson and running back Keaton Mitchell returned to the practice field after working out on the sidelines for several days last week. … The Chargers signed cornerback Isas Waxter to the practice squad and released wide receiver Gary Jennings. … There was a near collision when quarterback Justin Herbert dropped back to pass and a member of the Chargers’ video staff almost ran into him during the portion of practice that was open to reporters. A cry of “heads up,” rang out during the individual drill and a collision was avoided.