Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room

In the high-energy, high-stakes environment of an NFL locker room, veteran leadership can be the difference between a talented team and a winning one—and for the Los Angeles Chargers, edge rusher Bud Dupree has emerged as one of the most influential mentors in the locker room. Entering his 11th NFL season in 2025, Dupree brings a wealth of experience: playoff runs with the Pittsburgh Steelers, positional versatility, and a track record of overcoming injuries to remain a productive player. But it’s his off-field role—guiding young defensive linemen, sharing hard-earned wisdom, and building confidence—that has made him indispensable to the Chargers’ culture. Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room explores how his quiet leadership has shaped the next generation of Chargers players, from one-on-one film sessions to post-practice drills, and why his impact extends far beyond the stat sheet.

Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room begins with his daily film sessions with young edge rushers—an informal but vital part of his mentorship that goes beyond scheduled team meetings. Each week, Dupree invites rookies like Trey Moore (a 2025 third-round pick) and second-year player Chris Rumph II to his locker after practice, where they review game tape of upcoming opponents. He doesn’t just point out opponents’ tendencies; he breaks down his own past mistakes, showing clips of plays where he was beaten by an offensive lineman and explaining how he adjusted his technique. “Film study isn’t just about watching plays—it’s about learning from every snap,” Dupree told the Chargers’ official website in 2025. “When I was a rookie, I had guys like James Harrison showing me the ropes, and that made all the difference. Now it’s my turn to pass that on.” For Moore, who struggled with consistency early in the season, these sessions were transformative. “Bud showed me how to read an offensive tackle’s feet—like if they shift their weight early, they’re probably going to pass block,” Moore said. “That one tip helped me get two sacks in Week 5. I wouldn’t have noticed that on my own.” Dupree’s focus on “teach, don’t tell” ensures young players understand the “why” behind every technique, building their football IQ and confidence.

A second key aspect of Dupree’s mentorship is his hands-on work during practice—staying late to run extra drills with young defensive linemen and turning mistakes into teaching moments. After every practice, Dupree can be found on the field with players like Moore, Rumph, or defensive tackle Tuli Tuipulotu, working on pass-rushing moves: the spin move, the swim move, and the “rip” technique (using his hands to shed blockers). He doesn’t just demonstrate the moves—he stands opposite the young players, acting as the offensive lineman, so they can practice against a veteran’s timing and strength. When a player makes a mistake—like overcommitting to a move—Dupree stops the drill, explains what went wrong, and walks them through the correction step by step. “Bud never gets frustrated when we mess up,” Tuipulotu said. “He’ll say, ‘I did that exact same thing my rookie year—let’s fix it together.’ That makes you want to work harder, because you know he’s invested in your success.” During a Week 3 practice, Moore struggled to get past the Chargers’ backup left tackle; Dupree spent 20 minutes with him after practice, adjusting his stance to improve his leverage. The next game, Moore used that adjusted stance to sack Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes—his first NFL sack. “That sack was for Bud,” Moore said after the game. “He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room also includes his role as a “confidence builder”—helping young players navigate the mental challenges of the NFL and bounce back from tough games for the Los Angeles Chargers. The NFL is unforgiving: a bad play, a missed sack, or a loss can shake a young player’s confidence, and Dupree makes it his mission to counter that. After Rumph had a game in Week 4 where he was called for two penalties and didn’t record a tackle, Dupree pulled him aside in the locker room. Instead of focusing on the mistakes, he highlighted Rumph’s positive plays—like a hustle tackle on a running back that prevented a first down—and reminded him of how far he’d come since training camp. “This game will beat you up if you let it,” Dupree told Rumph. “The best players don’t let one bad game define them—they learn from it and come back stronger.” Dupree also shares stories of his own struggles, like his 2019 season where he missed time with a knee injury and struggled to regain his form. “Hearing that Bud went through the same things I’m going through makes it feel manageable,” Rumph said. For the Los Angeles Chargers, this mental support is just as important as physical skill—especially for young players adjusting to the NFL’s intensity. Dupree’s ability to lift teammates up has helped the Chargers’ defensive line stay resilient, even during a mid-season stretch where they faced three top-10 offenses in a row.

Another critical part of Dupree’s mentorship is his focus on “professionalism”—teaching young players the off-field habits that lead to long, successful careers for the Los Angeles Chargers. Beyond X’s and O’s, Dupree emphasizes the little things: showing up 30 minutes early to meetings, taking care of their bodies (proper sleep, nutrition, recovery), and treating every member of the organization—from trainers to equipment managers—with respect. He invites young players to join him for pre-practice meals, where he talks about the importance of nutrition, and he often texts them reminders to use the team’s recovery facilities (like NormaTec boots or cryotherapy chambers) after tough practices. “Football is a short career—you have to take care of your body if you want to play 10+ years like I have,” Dupree said. For rookie defensive end Zach Harrison, who joined the Chargers in 2025 as an undrafted free agent, this advice was life-changing. “Bud told me, ‘The NFL doesn’t care that you were a star in college—here, you’re judged by how you prepare.’ So I started showing up early, taking notes in meetings, and using the recovery tools. That’s how I made the 53-man roster.” Dupree’s focus on professionalism has also set a standard in the locker room; young players now look to him as an example, and the Chargers’ coaching staff has noticed a shift in the team’s work ethic. “Bud’s mentorship has made our job easier,” defensive line coach Giff Smith said. “The young guys aren’t just learning football—they’re learning how to be pros. For the Los Angeles Chargers, that’s an investment in our future.”

Finally, Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room wraps up with how his mentorship has strengthened team unity—turning individual players into a cohesive defensive unit for the Los Angeles Chargers. Dupree’s mentorship isn’t limited to one-on-one interactions; he encourages young players to support each other, too. He organized a “defensive line dinner” every Thursday night, where all the linemen—veterans and rookies alike—gather to eat, talk, and bond off the field. He also started a tradition where the group celebrates small wins together, like a sack or a tackle for loss, by high-fiving and cheering each other on during practice. “Football is a team sport—you can’t win alone,” Dupree said. “When we’re close off the field, we play better together on the field.” This unity was evident in the Chargers’ Week 8 win over the Denver Broncos, where the defensive line recorded five sacks and held the Broncos to 68 rushing yards. After the game, Moore, Rumph, and Tuipulotu all credited Dupree for the team’s success. “Bud taught us that we’re stronger together,” Tuipulotu said. “We weren’t just playing for ourselves—we were playing for each other.” For the Los Angeles Chargers, Dupree’s mentorship has done more than develop young players; it’s built a culture of camaraderie and mutual respect that will outlast his time with the team. As head coach Jim Harbaugh said in 2025, “Bud Dupree is the kind of veteran every team needs. He doesn’t just play the game—he grows the game, and he grows the people around him.” Bud Dupree's Mentorship in the Los Angeles Chargers Locker Room ultimately shows that in the NFL, true leadership isn’t about stats or Pro Bowl nods—it’s about lifting others up and leaving the team better than you found it.