Chargers double down on support system for rookie pick via new one-year extension with a veteran mentor ahead of 2025 season
The Los Angeles Chargers pass rush this season is, as it has for the past few seasons, going to run through Khalil Mack. The Chargers managed to secure Mack on a one-year deal worth $18 million this spring, marking an opportunity for Mack to land his fourth Pro Bowl in as many seasons in Los […]
The Los Angeles Chargers pass rush this season is, as it has for the past few seasons, going to run through Khalil Mack. The Chargers managed to secure Mack on a one-year deal worth $18 million this spring, marking an opportunity for Mack to land his fourth Pro Bowl in as many seasons in Los Angeles in 2025. One of his key running mates rushing the passer may not have the bank account or the Pro Bowls to match Mack, but he does have a new contract of his own as of today. The Chargers have extended former first-round draft choice Bud Dupree on a one-year contract extension.
The news came through on Wednesday and allowed the Chargers to offer Dupree some more long-term stability, as he was set to enter into a contract year in 2025. Dupree lacks the juice of his physical prime but he’s an experienced player who has filled a rotational role for the Chargers and Falcons the last two seasons.
A former first-round draft choice with the Pittsburgh Steelers, this latest contract is the latest impressive add-on for Dupree. He struggled to live up to the first round expectations before logging 25 sacks in his final three seasons with the Steelers. His next sack will be the 60th of his career.
The reported terms on Dupree’s new deal are “up to” $6 million for one additional season of play. That’s sturdy pay for a rotational talent and the Chargers are betting on familiarity, leadership and experience to justify the extension. With young talents like Tuli Tuipulotu and 2025 fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard in-house, Dupree’s experiences are welcomed insight for Los Angeles to provide support to the pass rush room.
Kennard, in particular, has some similarities to Dupree as a player and could be a primary beneficiary of picking Dupree’s brain. How Dupree learned to rush the passer throughout the early years of his career after coming into the league from Kentucky could be valuable insight for the 125th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Kennard did not test with the same explosiveness in the pre-draft process but offers the same slashing play style who wins with burst and speed off the edge first and foremost. And now, the Chargers are in position to offer two years of overlap between the two in the pass rush room.
Dupree will not have to put up crazy numbers to justify this new investment from the Chargers and the best measure of his value may not even be in his own play. Every team needs those kinds of veteran contributions to a roster and the Chargers, after spending the 2024 season together, seem to have seen enough to have the conviction to commit to an extra year early with Dupree.
South Carolina EDGE Kyle Kennard 2025 NFL Draft profile
The South Carolina defense looks to produce another top pass rusher.
