Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick and veteran edge rusher Bud Dupree has earned a contract extension from the Los Angeles Chargers following a productive 2024 campaign.
Dupree, who was selected 22nd overall by the Steelers in the 2015 NFL Draft, entered the league with high expectations after a dominant college career at Kentucky. While he struggled early on with consistency and injuries, he eventually developed into a key piece of Pittsburgh’s defense. His breakout year came in 2019 when he posted 11.5 sacks, 68 tackles and four forced fumbles, forming one of the NFL’s most disruptive edge duos alongside T.J. Watt.
The following season in 2020, Dupree was on pace for another big year with 8 sacks through 11 games. However, his season was cut short by a torn ACL, a setback that marked the end of his time in Pittsburgh.
Dupree signed a lucrative deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2021, but his stint in Nashville never lived up to expectations. Battling lingering injuries, he managed just 7 sacks across two seasons before being released.
In 2023, Dupree looked to revitalize his career with the Atlanta Falcons and showed encouraging signs of life, registering 6.5 sacks in a rotational role. That momentum carried into 2024, when he joined the Chargers on a one-year deal and delivered a quietly effective season. Dupree finished with 6 sacks, tied for second-most on the team, and played in all 18 games including the playoffs, his most durable season in years.
While Dupree may never have reached the All-Pro ceiling many envisioned for him coming out of Lexington, he has proven to be a reliable, experienced veteran presence on the edge. He was a productive complement to Watt during his Steelers tenure, and now appears to have found a second act in Los Angeles, providing leadership and pass rush help for a Chargers team looking to stay competitive in a loaded AFC West.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers Outside Linebacker Gets Contract Extension
