Los Angeles Chargers Sign Former First Round Pick To 2-Year Deal

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the deal between the Los Angeles Chargers and Bud Dupree is a two-year, ten million dollar deal with six million guaranteed. His most productive years were with the Pittsburgh Steelers when he had 19.5 sacks over a two-year span. Since then, he has bounced around the league, taking many one-year deals in the offseason. Now, he joins Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who just coached up one of the most dominant defenses in college football.

Bud Dupree was a 2015 first-round pick by the Steelers and has 53 career sacks. He has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons, but when he is on the field, the 31-year-old hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. There is no shortage of star power on the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense. Will they be better in 2024?

Defense Needs To Improve

While the Los Angeles Chargers offense has its issues, the defense has been the problem for the past few years. Former head coach Brandon Staley was supposed to be a defensive guru, but instead, his defenses were cut through like warm butter. Harbaugh and Minter now get a chance to see what they can do. Khalil Mack showed that he still has some left in the tank, and Joey Bosa shows spurts when he is healthy. Even if this unit can be league-average, it will be huge for the team.

The Los Angeles Chargers have the advantage of having the quarterback position figured out. Justin Herbert is the long-term plan, and he has the ability to put up points. The team added some young weapons in the draft as well as offensive line help. Harbaugh seems to want to play a ground-and-pound style, which will only help this defense. Between Bud Dupree and the many other pass rushers on the roster, opposing offenses will have to watch out in 2024.