2. Teaming up with Tuli and Khalil

Harbaugh and Hortiz were already daydreaming a little bit when he was asked about how Mesidor fits into the edge rusher room alongside Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack.

“Just thinking of, not even pairing, but tripling him with K-Mack and Tuli,” Harbaugh said. “That’s fire, as the young people would say.”

Hortiz added: “It’s lit.”

Mesidor beamed on a video call when asked about playing with Mack.

“Awesome. He’s a legend,” Mesidor said. “I’m going to learn so much from him, ask him hella questions. I can’t wait.”

Tuipulotu is an ascending player who just produced a 13.0-sack season that saw him earn his first Pro Bowl nod. Mack, meanwhile, is a future Hall of Famer with 113.0 career sacks.

The Chargers have thrived defensively in recent years by having a third capable edge rusher alongside that duo, a spot Odafe Oweh filled during the 2025 season.

But with Oweh departing in free agency, Mesidor is likely in line to hold that role in 2026 before potentially carving out a starting spot down the road depending on how long Mack keeps playing.

And it’s a bonus that Mesidor, who played at West Virgina before transferring to Miami, did play some defensive line earlier in his career.

So, don’t be surprised if you see Tuipulotu, Mack and Mesidor on the field together during the 2026 season.

“All-down player. We can call him a three-down or four-down player. That’s what he is,” Harbaugh said of Mesidor. “Inside pass rush, outside pass rush. You talk about a ‘designated pass rusher,’ but he can also fit the run on the inside and inside gaps and can build the run wall on the edge.”

Hortiz added: “Versatility. When you get versatile players along the line of scrimmage, I’m not a coach … but you can get creative with that. You can line him up in a lot of different spots and let him get after it.”

Hortiz mentioned that he expects Chargers Defensive Coordinator Chris O’Leary, defensive line coach Mike Elston and outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney to all work together and come up with creative packages for Mesidor.

Plus, Mesidor’s presence likely helps the entire defense by adding another lethal pass rusher up front.

Harbaugh noted that Chargers defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale “came in and he was super fired up, too.”

Hortiz said: “Clink’s line was, ‘Pass rush is the best corner you can take.’ It was a funny exchange.”