Former Steelers OLB Bud Dupree Signs with LA Chargers

Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree has signed with the Los Angeles, Chargers, according to report by Jeremy Fowler ESPN.

Dupree had previously met with the Chargers, but was reportedly talking to both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons about returning. Dupree played for the Falcons in 2023 and the Steelers for the first part of his career.

Dupree, 31, played the 2023 season with the Falcons on a one-year, $2.97 million contract. Dupree started 16 games for the Falcons, recording 6.5 sacks to tie for the team lead. He also racked up 39 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and three passes defended.

The Steelers’ first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Dupree spent two seasons in Tennessee before joining the Falcons. A free agent for a third time, Dupree still was open to a return to Pittsburgh, But a deal with the Steelers did not materialize, despite Dupree being willing to come back to Pittsburgh.

“If the opportunity came up, definitely!” Dupree said when asked if he’d be willing to return to Pittsburgh by Ron Lippock of Steelers Takeaways. “It’s a great organization and [Mike] Tomlin – he is who he is. The standard is the standard – for sure I’d go back!”

A Macon, Georgia native, Dupree attended the University of Kentucky, but has called Atlanta home for some time. He was happy to return there to play with the Falcons.

“Yeah, the first time around, being a highly-touted free agent was very fun,” Dupree said. “But then I had that injury spell and there’s less interest. Still though it was good to come home and see there was interest. You put in the hard work and you’re not overlooked, so it’s always a blessing to see and get that interest.”

The Steelers are in the market for one more edge rusher this offseason. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith will be starting, and Nick Herbig played well as a reserve. The team’s third outside linebacker from last season, veteran Markus Golden, is also a free agent.

The Steelers brought Dupree in for a free agent visit last offseason, before he signed in Atlanta.