As the Los Angeles Chargers transition into the Jim Harbaugh era, no player outside of quarterback Justin Herbert faces more pivotal expectations in 2025 than third-year edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu. With Joey Bosa now in Buffalo and Khalil Mack nearing the twilight of his career, Tuipulotu steps into a full-time starting role that carries both opportunity and scrutiny. CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin recently named Tuipulotu the team’s most important non-quarterback—and it’s not hard to see why.
A Sudden Promotion
Tuipulotu led all Chargers edge defenders in snaps last season and now ascends into Bosa’s role as a cornerstone of the pass rush. He played 67% and 74% of defensive snaps in his first two years. In 2025, that number could rise into the 80s or 90s. The team’s release of Bosa wasn’t just a cap-clearing move; it was a declaration of belief in Tuipulotu’s readiness.
That faith isn’t unfounded. The 2023 second-round pick has tallied 13 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 29 quarterback hits over two seasons. In 2024, Tuipulotu’s production came in bursts—he didn’t record a sack until Week 8 but then exploded over the next three weeks. His overall effect was measurable: the Chargers’ pressure rate increased from 31.6% to 36.8% when he was on the field.
Growth Still Needed
But not all signs point to a seamless breakout. Tuipulotu’s pressure rate dipped slightly from 11.9% as a rookie to 10.8% in 2024. While he racked up 8.5 sacks last season, many were of the “clean-up” variety—only two resulted in losses of more than three yards. Coaches are expecting more consistent disruption in 2025, especially now that Tuipulotu will focus almost exclusively on defense after playing over 330 special teams snaps last season.
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter acknowledged the stakes:
“You kind of know going into the year, this is my chance,” Minter said of Tuipulotu.
Uncertain Depth, High Expectations
Seth Walder of ESPN gave the Chargers a “B” for their offseason but criticized their lack of investment behind Mack and Tuipulotu. With Bud Dupree (age 32) and rookie Kyle Kennard the only notable depth, Los Angeles is banking heavily on Tuipulotu making the leap from solid to special.
If he delivers, Tuipulotu won’t just replace Joey Bosa—he’ll become the engine of a defense that needs to stay aggressive to keep pace in a competitive AFC. If he falters, a thin edge room could become a fatal flaw in Harbaugh’s debut season.
The Chargers believe they’ve found their next foundational pass rusher. Now it’s time for Tuipulotu to prove them right.
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