Chargers Camp Chaos: Tuli's Standoff, O-Line Madness & Herbert Dealing
The Bolts are back in business at The Bolt in El Segundo, and the 2026 Chargers training camp is already serving up drama, heat, and highlight-reel throws. From a potential star holdout to a wide-open left guard competition and a franchise left tackle's scare, there's no shortage of storylines as the preseason opener looms Aug. 13.
The Tuli Tuipulotu Contract Cloud
The biggest story in Chargers camp isn't on the field — it's who's not on it. Outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, fresh off a 13-sack season that ranked sixth in the NFL, is in the final year of his rookie deal and has been conspicuously limited. He sat out Day 1 completely, did only individual work for days, and is now going through walkthroughs while the rest of the defense sweats in pads.
Coach Jim Harbaugh isn't spilling the beans, calling it an internal matter and saying Tuli is "ramping up." But Derwin James, who went through his own holdout before signing his extension, knows the drill: "Sometimes that stuff takes longer to iron out." The Chargers are scheduled to pay Tuli just $5.767 million this season — a bargain for a top-tier edge rusher who wants his bag. Keep an eye on this one.
The Left Guard Carousel: Five Guys, One Job
If you love positional battles, this is your Super Bowl. The Chargers are cycling through a five-man rotation at left guard, and no one is running away with it.
Rookie Jake Slaughter — a college center learning guard on the fly — pancaked Dalvin Tomlinson on Sunday but also got beat badly by Justin Eboigbe. Branson Taylor, a sixth-round practice-squad guy last year, has been taking first-team reps and looks like a new man. Kayode Awosika is the veteran who Harbaugh says is leading the race. Trey Pipkins and Trevor Penning are also in the mix. It's a full-on brawl for a starting spot, and the smart money says we won't know the winner until the pads start flying in earnest.
Slater Scare Sends Chill Through El Segundo
When left tackle Rashawn Slater hobbled to the medical tent Tuesday with an injury to his left leg — the same leg that cost him all of last season with a patellar tendon rupture — hearts stopped. But Slater bounced back, walking around after practice, taking pics with his family, and telling Justin Herbert he wanted back in. "He said he wanted to be out there, so I think that's okay," Herbert said, sounding very much like a man who didn't want to lose his blindside protector again. Slater was a full go Wednesday. Crisis averted.
Herbert Is Cooking in McDaniel's System
Forget the noise. Justin Herbert is in his bag. The new shotgun stance installed by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has the QB looking comfortable and confident. He opened Tuesday's practice by completing his first eight passes before a safety broke one up, and he's been dropping dimes all week.
Herbert has chemistry with everyone, but rookie wideout Brenen Thompson is turning heads. "He's gonna be very good," Herbert said. "He's skilled. He's fast. He's gonna make a lot of plays for us." Also popping: Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, who say McDaniel has completely changed how they run routes, with a new emphasis on timing and getting the ball out fast.
Defense Bringing the Juice
The defense has been anything but passive. Khalil Mack was an absolute menace Sunday with several would-be sacks. Nadame Tucker had his best practice of camp, racking up three would-be sacks. Rookie CB Avery Smith picked off DJ Uiagalelei and broke up a Herbert pass in the same practice. Undrafted corner Rodney Shelley was sticky all over the field, celebrating like he just won the lottery.
Up front, Justin Eboigbe, Teair Tart, and Jamaree Caldwell have been wrecking the run game and collapsing the pocket. And Tuli? Well, when he finally gets in, this pass rush could be terrifying.
The Verdict So Far
The 2026 Chargers are deep, hungry, and dealing with some serious drama. But the most important thing — No. 10 looking like an elite QB in a new offense — is locked in. If Tuli signs, the O-line sorts itself out, and the defense keeps playing this nasty, this team could be a problem in the AFC.
Stay locked to True Sports for all the latest intel from Chargers camp as the preseason approaches.