As the Los Angeles Chargers are currently on their month-long break until training camp begins in late July, one position to monitor throughout the summer is outside linebacker, with the top three spots already determined: Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and first-round pick Akheem Mesidor. The Chargers will hold a competition for the final spot(s), with several players in contention. Notable young players to watch include Kyle Kennard, Nadame Tucker, and Garmon Randolph.
Kennard, the former fourth-round pick, aims to carve out a rotational role in Year 2 after being limited to five games and 80 defensive snaps, as he was a healthy scratch for most of his rookie season. Meanwhile, Tucker hopes to prove he can translate to the next level after dominating the competition in his lone season at Western Michigan despite going undrafted. Lastly, Randolph, who spent his rookie campaign on the practice squad, hopes to keep his dream of making an NFL roster alive.
If these young players impress, it could lead the Chargers to move on from a veteran pass rusher.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ 33-year-old pass rusher could be on the chopping block
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (left) and general manager Joe Hortiz react during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Bud Dupree could still be on the chopping block this offseason. Dupree is coming off a disappointing eleventh season, recording career lows in every statistical category except pressures. He totaled 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, 19 pressures (the second-lowest total), and two sacks across 16 games, including five starts, and accounted for 41% of defensive snaps. He missed Week 16 with a back injury and sat out the Wild Card Round due to a hamstring injury.
Bud Dupree enters the final year of his deal and is scheduled to earn a $2.25 million base salary, $1 million guaranteed, $3.505 million in cash, and a $3.74 million cap hit in 2026, per Over The Cap. Since the Chargers did not release him before March 13, he already received a $1 million roster bonus, payable on that date.
The Chargers’ 61-sack artist is a potential cut candidate per B/R
In a Bleacher Report article, Moe Moton identified each NFL team’s best player who could still be released this offseason. For the Chargers, he named Bud Dupree, highlighting that he has been a rotational pass rusher during his two-year tenure in Los Angeles, including a career-low 2 sacks in 2025. Additionally, Moton notes that Dupree could be the odd man out of the rotation with Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor as the team’s top three EDGE rushers.
“Bud Dupree made 99 career starts before he took on a rotational role with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. In his first year with the team, he recorded six sacks, but the 33-year-old only logged two last season,” Moton said.
“The Chargers selected Akheem Mesidor in the first round of this year’s draft. He’ll have an opportunity to beat out Dupree for the designated pass-rushing role behind Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. The 12th-year veteran should be on notice.”
The Chargers would free up $2.49 million in cap space while incurring $1.25 million in dead cap.
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