Chargers Communications

The Los Angeles Chargers today signed outside linebackerBud Dupreeto a contract extension.

Dupree brought leadership and a veteran presence to the Bolts in his first season with the team, playing in all 18 games in 2024, including the playoffs. He ranked tied for second on the team with six sacks in the regular season and added an interception, one of just eight NFL players to have at least six sacks and pick off a pass in 2024. Dupree also had a pair of pass breakups and 10 quarterback hits on the year.

A former first-round selection of Pittsburgh in 2015, Dupree has appeared in 136 career regular-season games and made 99 starts for the Steelers, Titans, Falcons and Chargers, totaling 333 tackles (231 solo). The dynamic pass rusher has added 59.0 sacks, 75 tackles for loss, 99 quarterback hits, two interceptions, 17 passes defensed and 13 forced fumbles. In eight career postseason games, Dupree has made six starts and registered 27 tackles (19 solo), 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and a pass breakup.

Dupree saw his most productive season with the Steelers in 2019, setting career highs in sacks (11.5), tackles (68), solo stops (49), tackles for loss (16), quarterback hits (17) and forced fumbles (four). He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Week 9 of that season, helping the Steelers to a two-point victory over the Colts by posting two sacks, a forced fumble, a recovery and three quarterback hits.

The Macon, Ga., native appeared in 47 career games at the University of Kentucky, ending his career ranked No. 2 in program history with 23.5 sacks. Over his four seasons (2011-14) as a Wildcat, Dupree totaled 247 tackles (146 solo), four forced fumbles, a recovery and a pick. He was voted a team captain as a senior and earned honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference following each of his final three seasons in Lexington, Ky.