Chargers Stock Watch: Tuipulotu Rising, Herbert Struggling, Vidal Making His Mark
At 8-4, the Chargers are right in the thick of the playoff race - but the road ahead isn’t doing them any favors. With a tough schedule looming and a roster still trying to find its stride, it’s been a mixed bag over the last four games.
Since sitting at 5-3 before facing Tennessee, the Bolts have gone through a stretch that included the Titans, Steelers, Jaguars, and Raiders. Some players have stepped up, others have taken a step back.
Let’s break down three names whose stock has clearly shifted - for better or worse - as we head into the final month of the regular season.
📈 Stock Up: Tuli Tuipulotu
Let’s start with one of the brightest spots on the Chargers’ roster right now - second-year defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu. Outside of the team-wide meltdown against Jacksonville, Tuipulotu has been one of the few constants on a defense that’s quietly finding its footing.
His performance against the Raiders might not jump off the page at first glance - especially considering Las Vegas’ offensive line has been a revolving door - but make no mistake, Tuipulotu was a force. He’s been disruptive at the point of attack, holding his own in the trenches, and even making his presence felt on special teams. That’s the kind of all-around impact that coaches love and teammates rally around.
What’s most impressive is how Tuipulotu has separated himself during a stretch where the team has struggled to find clear difference-makers. He’s not just flashing - he’s consistently producing.
The Chargers needed someone to step up on that defensive front, and Tuipulotu has answered the call. He’s looking more and more like a future cornerstone of this defense, and if this trajectory continues, we could be talking about him as one of the league’s premier linemen in the not-so-distant future.
📉 Stock Down: Justin Herbert
This one’s tough - because when Justin Herbert is on, he’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. But right now, he’s not playing like it.
Even in a stretch where the Chargers have leaned heavily on the run game, Herbert hasn’t looked comfortable. The offensive line is a known issue - and it’s not getting fixed until Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater return in 2026 - but the bigger concern is Herbert’s decision-making.
Every week, there’s at least one throw that leaves fans and coaches shaking their heads. It’s not just risky - it’s costly.
The fractured hand he’s now dealing with certainly won’t help matters, but the problems started before the injury. He’s forcing balls into tight windows, missing reads, and at times, trying to do too much. That’s understandable for a player who’s had to carry this franchise more often than not, but it’s not sustainable - especially not in December, when every possession matters.
The good news? If anyone can flip the script, it’s Herbert.
He’s done it before, and he’s still the heartbeat of this team. But for now, his stock is down - and the Chargers need him to turn things around quickly if they want to stay in the playoff picture.
📈 Stock Up: Kimani Vidal
Next man up? Kimani Vidal took that to heart - and then some.
With Omarion Hampton sidelined, Vidal stepped into the lead back role and didn’t just hold his own - he thrived. Over the last four games, he’s been a stabilizing force for an offense that desperately needed one. In two of those matchups, he was absolutely essential to the Chargers pulling out wins.
Vidal’s running style is decisive and physical, and he’s shown a knack for squeezing extra yards out of every carry. He’s also been reliable in pass protection and has flashed as a receiver out of the backfield - traits that make him more than just a stopgap. Hampton is expected back soon, possibly as early as the upcoming game against Philadelphia, but Vidal has done enough to force a real conversation about how the touches should be split going forward.
This isn’t just a “nice stretch” - it’s a breakout. Without Vidal, the Chargers could easily be sitting at 6-6 and clinging to playoff hopes.
Instead, they’re 8-4, and they’ve discovered they’ve got two legitimate backs they can trust. Vidal’s stock is soaring, and even if his carries dip when Hampton returns, his role in this offense isn’t going away.
Bottom Line
The Chargers are still in control of their postseason destiny, but with a brutal schedule ahead, they’ll need key players to keep stepping up - and others to find their form quickly. Tuli Tuipulotu is emerging as a foundational piece on defense, Kimani Vidal is proving he belongs in the offensive game plan long-term, and Justin Herbert, for all his talent, needs to steady the ship.
December football is about momentum, and right now, the Chargers are still searching for theirs.