Veteran OLB visits Chargers, also drawing interest from his former teams

The Chargers elected to keep both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack in the fold this offseason, but the team is still interested in at least one of the top veteran edge-rushers still on the market. Bud Dupree visited the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

While the Bolts are interested in adding what would be a high-profile rotational rusher behind their Pro Bowl OLB tandem, Dupree has seen a bit of a post-draft market emerge for his services. Two of his previous three employers — the Steelers and Falcons — have engaged in talks about a return, Schefter adds.

The NFL’s compensatory formula not including free-agency moves made in May annually leads to a host of post-draft signings. A handful of notable free agents have signed since the draft, with additions and subtractions no longer affecting teams’ 2025 compensatory hauls. Dupree looks likely to be a post-draft signee, and of these three teams, one carries a clear need compared to the others.

When the Falcons surprised most by drafting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall, they passed on bolstering their edge rush. Atlanta has been unable to generate consistent edge pressure for years, but Dupree made some contributions following his Titans release. Dupree’s 6.5 sacks last season were his most since 2020, when an ACL tear ended his Steelers run. Dupree tied with Calais Campbell for the team lead in sacks; Campbell is also not currently with the Falcons, but the team has kept the door open to a return for an age-38 season.

Dupree, 30, tallied just eight QB hits last season; his 24 pressures ranked 49th in the league. The Falcons attempted to trade back into Round 1, eyeing defensive help. The Falcons were aiming to land Laiatu Latu as well; that certainly would have depleted the team’s draft capital, considering where its second-round slot checked in. As it stands, Atlanta features Lorenzo Carter and 2022 second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie as its top OLBs. The team also chose Bralen Trice in Round 3.

The Steelers, who drafted Dupree in the 2015 first round and kept him through 2020 via the fifth-year option and franchise tag, has two clear-cut starters in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The latter took over as Watt’s top sidekick when Dupree defected to the Titans in 2021. Highsmith has emerged as one of the NFL’s better edge players since, and the Steelers rewarded him with an extension last year. The team has placed a priority on its OLB3 role, having Melvin Ingram and Markus Golden in that position in recent years.

A Chargers add would be perhaps the most interesting, seeing as the Bolts reached restructure agreements to keep Bosa and Mack (while unloading expensive wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams). The team also received promising early returns from 2023 second-round OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, who totaled 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 12 QB hits as a rookie. While Bosa’s injury history makes backup pass-rushing firepower important for the Bolts, Tuipulotu already provides some bench assistance.