The Los Angeles Chargers have officially secured a veteran outside linebacker with a contract extension, reaffirming their commitment to a defensive unit that showed promise in 2024. While the team did not publicly disclose the specific terms of the deal, ESPN reports that the agreement is a one-year extension worth up to $6 million, including incentives.
He is 32, had been entering the final year of his previous contract, which carried a base salary of $1.995 million for the 2025 season. The extension ensures his presence through the upcoming campaign, and potentially provides the Chargers with a steady veteran presence off the edge.
In his first season with Los Angeles, he played in all 17 games and proved to be a reliable contributor on defense, finishing with 6.0 sacks and 28 total tackles. His pass-rushing ability gave a needed boost to the Chargers’ front seven, helping to stabilize a unit that has faced both injuries and inconsistency in recent years.
A former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015, Bud Dupree has built a respectable NFL résumé. Over 136 career games (with 99 starts) across four franchises — Pittsburgh, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and now the Chargers — Dupree has racked up:
- 59.0 career sacks
- 100 quarterback hits
- 333 total tackles
- 13 forced fumbles
- 2 interceptions
The Chargers are likely counting on his experience and leadership as they continue to develop younger talent at the linebacker position. With defensive coordinator Jesse Minter implementing a more aggressive, playmaking scheme, Dupree’s high motor and veteran savvy should continue to make him a valuable asset, particularly in pass-rush situations.
As the team prepares for the 2025 season, retaining Dupree signals a clear intent: to build a defense that can keep pace with the explosive offenses of the AFC West — and to lean on proven playmakers to do it.
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