Would Chargers Actually Entertain Offers for Tuli Tuipulotu?

The Chargers have one of the NFL's best young defenders who is in the final year of his rookie contract. Would the Bolts move on from Pro Bowler Tuli Tuipulotu?

Oct 11, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) celebrates after a fumble recovery against the Denver Broncos during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He has made steady improvement each year since he entered the National Football League as a second-round draft choice in 2023. Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu is off to a solid start this season despite the team’s 0-5 record.

The Chargers Defense gets the INT off of Sam Darnold on his first pass of the game!#BoltUp #LACvsSEA pic.twitter.com/TGS22K4QXJ

— False Finish (@FalseFinishHQ) October 4, 2026

The 6’3”, 266-pound defender is tied for third on the team with 22 tackles, to go along with a pair of sacks and a team-high eight quarterback hits. He’s totaled one interception, come up with two forced fumbles, been credited with three passes defensed and recovered a fumble.

Chargers’ edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu is one of the team’s young stars

1st and 10 · Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (@BoNix10) runs up the middle for 1 yard to DEN 41, fumbles, recovered by Tuli Tuipulotu (@TuipulotuTuli) at DEN 42https://t.co/B3495YSvR2pic.twitter.com/7zdiKxkD6F

— Broncos at Chargers (@DENvsLAC) October 11, 2026

Go back to Tuipulotu’s rookie campaign in ’23. He played in 11 games but made zero starts. There were 53 stops, 4.5 sacks, a dozen QB hits and two forced fumbles. A year later, he appeared in all 17 contests and made nine starts. There were 38 tackles, a team-high 8.5 sacks, and another forced fumble. He also added four special teams stops. Tuipulotu also appeared in the team’s playoff loss at Houston.

The third season proved to be the charm for the former Trojan. He finished ninth on Jim Harbaugh’s squad with 45 tackles and led the Bolts with career-bests in sacks (13.0) and quarterback hits (23). Add two more forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and four more stops on special teams. Tuipulotu, who was named to his first Pro Bowl, came up with two more tackles and one sack in the Bolts’ wild card loss at New England.

There’s little doubt that the four-year pro is a player on the rise. But the question here is whether the Chargers are a team headed in the right direction? Last Wednesday, Tuipulotu was one of 15 players that Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus speculated could be the subject of trade talks. The Chargers’ defender (PFF's 14th-ranked edge rusher) is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the organization has not yet extended him.

Would the Chargers trade Tuli Tuipulotu for the right price?

USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The team appears very loaded at edge rusher with ageless Khalil Mack (who leads the team with 3.0 sacks), and 2026 first-round pick Akheem Mesidor. The latter is tied with Tuipulotu in terms of total tackles (22), is second on the club with 2.5 sacks, and has one forced fumble.

Of course, Mack could also be a player a contender may be interested in, but considering he’s in the midst of his 13th season, he likely would not net a bigtime haul in terms of a deal.

The Chargers head to Arrowhead Stadium this week to face the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs. A season ago, the Bolts swept the series for the first tine since 2013. This time around, Harbaugh’s club is one of three teams in the league still looking for its first victory in 2026.

Could general manager Joe Hortiz and the franchise already be looking to the future after the team’s disappointing start? Tuipulotu could certainly net a respectable haul. And for those believing he is an emerging star that the Bolts wouldn’t part ways with, nothing is ever off the table when it comes to today’s NFL.