Tuli Tuipulotu will be key factor for Chargers this year

With some key losses on the defensive line this year, the Los Angeles Chargers need help. Third-year pro and former USC Trojan Tuli Tuipulotu will need to carry the load of being the second-best rusher and at times the lead guy, given the uncertainty about teammate Khalil Mack's health. Tuipulotu built on his rookie season and had a very encouraging second NFL season with 8.5 sacks.

Tuipulotu is looked at as one of the most important players to carry defensive coordinator Jessie Minter's defense to the promised land. Chargers Wire's Gavino Borquez has Tuipulotu as the 12th-most important Charger this upcoming season in his rankings. Here are his thoughts on Tuipulotu's potential impact this year:

"In Tuipulotu's second season in the league, he played in all 17 games, with nine starts, which came when injuries occurred to Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa. He led the Chargers in sacks with 8.5. He was also 16th among qualified edge rushers in pressure rate with 14.9%. While he was steady as a pass rusher, Tuipulotu wasn't as effective as a run defender as he was in his rookie season. In Year 1, he posted an 88.4 run-defense grade in 2023, and that number dropped to 65.3 last season.

"With Joey Bosa now with the Bills, Tuipulotu is set up to start opposite Mack. Despite a career-high in sacks in 2024, Tuipulotu seemed to be more dependable in the pass-rush department in his rookie season. He must regain that consistency to continue to make the edge rusher group a strength of the defense. Nonetheless, the traits and talent are there for Tuipulotu to excel in the starting role. Veteran Bud Dupree and rookie Kyle Kennard will be behind Mack and Tuipulotu."

Tuipulotu will be the replacement for Bosa. If he takes another step in his development he should overthrow Khalil Mack as the guy offenses fear on this Charger defense. For the Chargers to have a shot at competing in the AFC and their division, they will need their pass rush to get home more often; that starts with Tuli.

An impactful season that eclipses double-digit sack numbers for Tuli Tuipulotu could be one of the biggest reasons why the Chargers land in the playoffs once again.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Tuli Tuipulotu gets ranked as 12th-most important Charger for 2025