Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers are rewarding veteran edge rusher Bud Dupree by locking him in for at least one more season in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Chargers announced that they’re giving veteran edge rusher Bud Dupree a one-year contract extension which will keep the 32-year old in Los Angeles through the 2026 season. Per multiple reports, the one-year extension is worth up to $6 million.
Dupree ended his first year with the Chargers having recorded 28 total tackles, six tackles for loss, six sacks, an interception, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. That’s not a bad stat line for a player who came into the season as the team’s fourth edge rusher behind Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Tuli Tuipulotu. However, that doesn’t tell the whole story.
I’m okay with this extension mainly due to the low number reported. If you watched every single game of the Chargers last year, you probably saw Dupree miss quite a few opportunities for big-time, impactful plays. I’d argue he could have led the team and pushed for double-digit sacks were he to have finished the ones where he had both hands on the quarterback. As a veteran, he has to clean up some of his erratic technique when he gets to the quarterback. If he can do that, I believe he’ll easily outplay his contract extension.
In the end, this is still a solid signing with the expectation that the 2025 season will be the last for Khalil Mack, whether that’s in LA or in the NFL. This move will keep the floor of the Chargers pass rush elevated above serviceable at least through the 2026 season.
