The Los Angeles Chargers are under a completely new regime in 2024. This latest player addition is just another cherry on top of what has been a masterclass offseason by General Manager Joe Hortiz and Coach Jim Harbaugh.
Bud Dupree Signs With The Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers sign former first-round selection, EDGE, Bud Dupree to a two-year deal. This move has come as a surprise due to the Chargers already having three starting-caliber EDGE defenders. Two of whom are under massive contracts. The third of the group is 21-year-old Tuli Tuipulotu, who played extremely well in his starting snaps in 2023 as a rookie. Dupree will likely come in as EDGE four under new Chargers defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.
The EDGE room has been the major priority for the Chargers during the 2023 off-season, opting to let go of two starting receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in favor of releasing one of Joey Bosa or Khalil Mack. This move was the only major questionable move of the Chargers 2023 off-season under Hortiz.
Bud Dupree Career History
Bud Dupree had stints with the Tenessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Atlanta Falcons. The Steelers drafted Dupree in the first round in 2015, but he failed to fully live up to his potential until his age 26 season in 2019. He recorded 11.5 sacks, 17 QB hits, and 68 tackles in all sixteen games during that aforementioned 2019 season. After one more solid season in 2020 with eight sacks, he moved on to the Tennesee Titans.
The Titans gave Dupree a five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2021, but he did not pan out as the start EDGE rusher they hoped for him to be. After two disappointing seasons in Tenessee, he was released. He only tallied seven sacks during his two seasons in the Music City.
He moved on to the Falcons in 2023, showing flashes of the old 2019 Bud Dupree. During Dupree’s time in Atlanta last season, he recorded an impressive 38 pressures and six and a half sacks. He was not re-signed by the team, as they are under new a defensive scheme with Coach Raheem Morris. Dupree then signs with the Los Angeles Chargers, as of May 11th, 2024.
Who is Now the Odd Man Out?
Obviously, this signing has an impact on what will be the eventual 53-man roster. The current EDGE room for the Chargers are as follows: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Chris Rumph, Bud Dupree, Andrew Farmer, Ty Shelby, Brevin Allen, and Tre’Mon Morris-Brash. The latter half of that list is likely to not make the roster with or without the signing of Dupree, but the name to keep an eye on is Chris Rumph.
Chris Rumph was initially thought to make this 2024 Chargers roster. This was due to him being a 2021 fourth-round selection. However, a broken leg in pre-game warmups and a lackluster past two seasons under an old coaching staff is all a recipe to see Rumph walk out the door. Bud Dupree has furthered that sentiment and possibly may have been the nail in the coffin for Rumph. It is possible the Chargers keep five EDGE rushers under this new regime but expect Rumph to be relegated to strictly special teams if that is the case.
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