Is Tuli Tuipulotu set to be the next Joey Bosa for

Tuli Tuipulotu is still discovering his voice.

Naturally, he speaks through pressure on the area — a relentless move rusher with a patented spin transfer that is disruptive to most offenses. Yet the third-year edge rusher for the Chargers stays reserved and soft-spoken in the locker room, still growing into his presence.

“He’s a quiet dude,” stated Khalil Mack. “But when he speaks up, everybody listens.”

In the previous, the homegrown expertise — a Lawndale High product who performed just 10 minutes from the Chargers’ facility — recognized himself as an “underdog.” Now, he’s coming into his own vocally, stepping out of that label and doing it so convincingly that Mack, a future Hall of Famer, needs even more from him.

“When we’re on the field, signals being called on the sidelines, he kind of calls it,” Mack added. “He’s always been that guy anyway. Just to hear him speak in the room and speak in a group, amongst the defense, everybody hears him loud and clear.”

Since his rookie 12 months, Tuipulotu has crammed in as a spot starter. But with franchise stalwart Joey Bosa’s departure to Buffalo in the offseason, Tuipulotu might be primed for a breakout season, turning into a central piece in what was the top-ranked protection final season.

Even with more snaps and greater expectations, his commonplace hasn’t modified.

“I’ve been starting since my rookie year, and if that’s my role this year, then it’s going to feel the same,” Tuipulotu stated. “I don’t think it’s anything different from what I’ve been doing.”

What has modified is Tuipulotu’s function as a chief.

“That comes with credibility,” he stated. “You can’t just talk and not have stuff to back you up. I wouldn’t say I’ve been talking too much, but I’ve been talking enough.”

Last season, Tuipulotu boosted his credibility by filling in for Mack, who missed time because of an harm, and Bosa, who might never get absolutely healthy when attempting to return from harm.

Despite beginning just 9 video games, Tuipulotu logged 732 defensive snaps — a heavy workload that showcased his rising potential. He led the Chargers with 8½ sacks and emerged as a key piece of a protection that ranked high seven in complete sacks (46).

The dialog now shifts to Tuipulotu’s ceiling. With Bosa gone, he’ll take over a beginning function and see a main uptick in snaps. Still, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and veterans such as Mack stay measured — cautious not to pile an excessive amount of stress or expectation on the 22-year-old.

Even so, those around him can’t help but be impressed by his playmaking means and growing consolation in Year 2 of Minter’s system.

“The really good players — can they do what you want them to do, but also have that little magic where sometimes they go outside of their realm and make a play?” Minter stated. “They’ve always been that way, and he can be that.”

Opposite him on the edge, Mack says he’s “taking all the steps and is playing all the different roles — inside, outside, dropping [into coverage]. He does it all.”

“I want to see him ball and make plays this year,” Mack added. “Not putting too much on him. I know what I expect from him this year … [It’s] just letting it happen naturally, just putting the action to it and not speaking on it too much.”

Early in his profession, Tuipulotu’s versatility saved him on the area, significantly on particular groups — a function that may now take a back seat despite his affect.

As a backup, he logged 339 snaps on kickoff and field-goal items, second most on the staff. While Tuipulotu stays keen to contribute wherever needed, his coaches stay cautious, cautious not to overextend him or gradual his defensive development.

“You wish you could clone and have a bunch of him,” particular groups coach Ryan Ficken stated. “But there’s some give and take. Now you gotta take [his starting role] into consideration. … He wants to do it all. He wants to play on all those phases, and it’s just going to depend on the situation.”

Those around Tuipulotu are noticing his growing confidence — through his actions on the area and his voice off it. Building that confidence has been a key focus early in coaching camp, and he goals to carry it through the season.

With his elevated duties, confidence will be key to his success as he steps into a new place that comes with management expectations and higher calls for. For now, though, he isn’t making it greater than it wants to be.

“It’s a game,” Tuipulotu stated, nonchalantly. “It’s not hard to go out there and do your best. This is what we do. This is what we love to do.”