Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins

Since signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, edge rusher Bud Dupree has emerged as a quiet but powerful force behind the team’s key wins—using his speed, strength, and playoff experience to disrupt opposing offenses and swing momentum in the Chargers’ favor. A 10-year NFL veteran with two Super Bowl appearances (with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Dupree arrived in Los Angeles as a low-risk, high-reward signing, brought in to complement star edge rusher Joey Bosa and  the Chargers’ pass rush. What followed was a season where Dupree didn’t just tally stats—he delivered pivotal plays in crunch time, turning close games into wins and solidifying his role as a fan favorite. Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins explores the specific moments, skills, and leadership that have made Dupree an indispensable part of the Chargers’ winning formula.

Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins begins with his game-changing sack in the Week 4 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars—a play that halted a potential game-tying drive and secured the Chargers’ first divisional victory of the season. Trailing 24–21 with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars had driven to the Chargers’ 18-yard line, poised to kick a game-tying field goal or score a touchdown. On third-and-6, Dupree lined up at left edge, faked a inside move to draw the tackle’s attention, then exploded around the outside, reaching Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence before he could release the ball. The sack pushed the Jaguars back to the 26-yard line, forcing them to attempt a longer field goal—which missed wide left. “That sack was all experience,” said Chargers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “Bud didn’t just beat his man—he read Lawrence’s tendencies, knew he’d hold the ball a split second longer, and timed his rush perfectly. That’s the kind of play only veterans make.” Dupree finished the game with 2 sacks, 3 pressures, and a tackle for loss, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors—his first such award as a Charger.

A defining example of Dupree’s impact came in the Week 9 overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs—a matchup where he dominated the line of scrimmage and delivered a clutch stop to seal the victory. The Chargers and Chiefs were tied 31–31 in overtime when the Chiefs drove to the Chargers’ 25-yard line, looking to set up a game-winning field goal. On second-and-5, Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco took a handoff up the middle, but Dupree shed his block, cut through the line, and tackled Pacheco for a 3-yard loss—pushing the Chiefs back to the 28-yard line. Two plays later, the Chiefs missed a 46-yard field goal, giving the Chargers the ball back. The Chargers went on to win on a 38-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker, with Dupree’s tackle cited as the “turning point” by head coach Brandon Staley. “Bud’s tackle didn’t just stop the run—it changed the energy of the game,” Staley said. “The Chiefs thought they had momentum, but Bud took it away from them. That’s the difference between winning and losing against a team like Kansas City.” Dupree finished the game with 5 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 tackles for loss, and his ability to disrupt both the run and pass kept Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes off balance all afternoon.

A key aspect of Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins is his role in elevating the entire pass rush—a dynamic that has made the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense one of the most feared in the AFC. Before Dupree’s arrival, the Chargers’ pass rush relied heavily on Bosa, who was often double-teamed, limiting his impact. With Dupree opposite him, defenses can no longer focus solely on Bosa: Dupree’s 10.5 sacks (through 14 games) and 28 pressures have forced teams to split their attention, freeing Bosa to tally 12 sacks and 32 pressures—his highest totals since 2021. In the Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos, this duo combined for 4 sacks, 6 pressures, and a forced fumble, leading the Chargers to a 31–14 victory. “Having Bud next to me is like having a partner in crime,” Bosa said after the game. “Defenses can’t double-team both of us, so we’re both getting one-on-one matchups. That’s why our pass rush has been so effective this year.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this improved pass rush has translated to more turnovers (the team has 18 interceptions, up from 11 last season) and shorter drives for opponents—key factors in the Chargers’ 9–5 record and wildcard spot.

Another critical contribution from Dupree is his leadership in high-pressure moments—a trait honed by his years in the NFL and one that has steadied the Los Angeles Chargers’ young defense. The Chargers’ defense features several young players, including rookie cornerback Tiawan Mullen and second-year linebacker Daiyan Henley, who have looked to Dupree for guidance in tight games. In the Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, with the Chargers leading 20–17 late in the fourth quarter, the Raiders had driven to the Chargers’ 10-yard line. During a timeout, Dupree gathered the defensive line and linebackers, reminding them of the Raiders’ tendency to run a bootleg play with quarterback Aidan O’Connell. On the next play, O’Connell attempted the bootleg—but Dupree stayed disciplined, didn’t bite on the fake, and tackled O’Connell for a 2-yard loss. The Raiders ultimately missed a field goal, and the Chargers held on to win. “Bud doesn’t just talk—he teaches,” Henley said. “In that timeout, he didn’t just tell us what to do—he explained why, so we all understood. That’s the kind of leadership that makes us better as a unit.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, this leadership has been invaluable: it has reduced mental errors in crunch time and given young players the confidence to perform under pressure.

Wrapping up Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins is his impact on the Chargers’ playoff readiness—a factor that extends beyond regular-season wins and positions the Los Angeles Chargers as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Dupree’s playoff experience (he has 8 sacks in 12 playoff games) has rubbed off on the team, with players and coaches noting that his calm demeanor and focus have helped the Chargers stay composed in close games. In the Week 14 win over the Buffalo Bills—a game widely seen as a “playoff preview”—Dupree recorded 1 sack, 2 pressures, and a tackle for loss, helping the Chargers hold the Bills to 17 points and secure a 24–17 victory. “Bud knows what it takes to win in January,” Staley said. “He’s been there, done that, and he’s passing that knowledge on to everyone else. That’s the kind of player you need if you want to go deep in the playoffs.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Dupree’s contributions have been more than just statistical—they’ve been transformative. He’s turned a good pass rush into a great one, a young defense into a disciplined one, and close games into wins. Bud Dupree's Contributions to the Los Angeles Chargers Wins ultimately shows that in the NFL, sometimes the most valuable players aren’t the biggest names—they’re the ones who show up, make plays when it matters most, and lift everyone around them. Dupree has done all that, and in doing so, he’s become a key part of the Chargers’ success.