The Chargers believe they may have found a rookie who doesn’t need the usual pro football wake-up call.
Defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary said Monday that Akheem Mesidor arrives with a mindset that already looks polished, and he tied that to the way NIL has changed college football. In O’Leary’s view, players who’ve been paid in school are showing up with a sharper sense of responsibility once they reach the NFL.
"I think the guys getting paid in college helps them with their professionalism," O’Leary noted when discussing the transition of young players to the professional level. "When they get here, they’re just more ready… They know what it means to treat it like a job."
Mesidor, the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Miami, is 25 and already giving the Chargers reasons to trust him early. O’Leary pointed to the edge rusher’s mental makeup as well as his versatility, noting that Mesidor spent meaningful time working inside during his final college seasons while still handling his usual edge duties.
That flexibility could matter quickly in Los Angeles. O’Leary said the staff intends to lean into it with pressure packages that can get creative, and he didn’t rule out a look featuring Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Mesidor together.
"There's a world where that would happen, no doubt," O'Leary said, highlighting his philosophy of putting as many dynamic pass rushers on the field as possible during obvious passing downs.
With the Chargers set to open the regular season against the Cardinals next Sunday, Mesidor appears headed for an immediate and significant role. O’Leary made it clear the rookie’s growth is something the team expects to watch closely.
“It’s gonna be fun to watch his growth," O'Leary said.
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