What happened: Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu was named No. 86 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026, the annual ranking voted on by players across the league. The reveal places the young edge defender among the game's most respected names heading into the upcoming season.

Why it matters: Recognition on the Top 100 signals rising respect for Tuipulotu's role in the Chargers' front seven as Los Angeles builds toward the 2026 campaign. For a player still early in his career, cracking the list underscores his emergence as a disruptive presence off the edge and a piece the defense expects to lean on.

What to watch: Watch where Tuipulotu fits into the Chargers' pass rush rotation when the 2026 season opens, and whether his production climbs enough to push him higher on next year's list.