Chargers signing veteran pass-rusher Bud Dupree
The Los Angeles Chargers are adding another veteran to their front seven.
Pass-rusher Bud Dupree is joining Los Angeles on a two-year contract, his agency told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Dupree's contract is worth $6 million with a maximum value of $10 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
The 31-year-old visited the Chargers this past week and was also reportedly in contact with two of his former teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. Dupree strongly considered reuniting with the Steelers, but the idea of playing with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa in L.A. impacted his final decision, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Dupree enjoyed a solid 2023 season with the Falcons, amassing 39 tackles (eight for loss), eight QB hits, and a team-high 6.5 sacks.
A first-round pick in 2015, he played his first six seasons with Pittsburgh before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2021 on a five-year deal. Tennessee released him during the 2023 offseason, and the Kentucky product later signed with Atlanta.
Dupree's best year so far came in 2019 when he had 17 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was on track to post a second straight double-digit sack season in 2020, but a torn ACL ended his campaign in Week 12.
The Chargers reworked Mack's and Bosa's contracts this offseason to keep the veteran edge rushers. Mack, an eight-time Pro Bowler, had a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, while Bosa battled injuries once again and finished the campaign with 6.5 sacks. The 28-year-old has played just 14 games since 2022.
Los Angeles also rosters pass-rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, whom the team selected in the second round last year.