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The Los Angeles Chargers have officially announced the signing of free agent outside linebacker Bud Dupree to a two-year deal.
Dupree’s Impactful Season with Atlanta
Dupree, 31, had a career renaissance last season, recording 6.5 sacks, 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits while playing for the Atlanta Falcons. He quickly emerged as Atlanta’s primary stand-up edge rusher, consistently making impactful plays.
Dupree Joins Bosa, Mack and Tuipulotu
Dupree joins a formidable outside linebacker lineup that already boasts two of the league’s top players, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Mack had an outstanding season last year, ranking fourth in the NFL with a career-high 17 sacks. The Chargers also have Tuli Tuipulotu, who emerged as one of the team’s most reliable players during Bosa’s absence for eight games last season.
Tuipulotu concluded last season with 4.5 sacks, tying for seventh among rookie players. Given the Chargers’ lack of a dominant interior pass rusher, Dupree and Tuipulotu could potentially feature together in formations with three outside linebackers, allowing one of them to line up on the interior.
This strategy proved effective for the Chargers last season, notably in a Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans when Tuipulotu’s performance drew in two linemen, creating space for Bosa to secure a sack.
Dupree Chooses Chargers Over Steelers
Dupree, initially drafted in the first round by the Steelers in 2015, spent the first six seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh team. A reliable source revealed that Dupree seriously considered Pittsburgh. However, the Chargers successfully convinced him with their plans to deploy three-rusher sets with Bosa and Mack on the field together.
Dupree’s Career Highlights
In 2019, Dupree achieved a significant milestone with the Steelers by surpassing the 10-sack mark, while also achieving a career-high of 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits. With a total of 119 career games, including 99 starts, Dupree brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Chargers’ defensive lineup, boasting impressive stats of 305 tackles, 53 sacks, and 70 tackles for loss throughout his career.
This report used information from ESPN.
