Chargers sign defensive end Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree (YouTube, Wikimedia Commons)

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed defensive end Bud Dupree of Macon, Georgia to a two-year deal worth $6 million according to Jerry Trotta of Fansided on Monday. The Chargers are the fourth National Football League team Dupree has played for following six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2015 to 2020, two seasons with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and 2022, and one season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.

This past season in Atlanta, Dupree played 16 games for the Falcons. He had 39 combined tackles (22 assisted tackles and 17 solo tackles), eight tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks, three pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

When Dupree signed with the Titans in 2021, he signed a gigantic three-year deal worth $49.5 million. However, he only played top seasons in Tennessee before being released on March 6.

In other Chargers news, former general manager A.J. Smith of North Smithfield, Rhode Island passed away of prostate cancer on Sunday at the age of 75 according to ESPN. Smith was the general manager of the San Diego Chargers from 2003 to 2012.

Smith’s most memorable trade came at the 2004 NFL Draft. After drafting quarterback Eli Manning of New Orleans, Louisiana, the Chargers traded Manning to the New York Giants for quarterback Philip Rivers of Decatur, Alabama. Rivers went on to be selected to the Pro Bowl eight times while with the Chargers, and led the NFL with 4710 passing yards in 2010.

Smith was also the Chargers pro personnel director from 1985 to 1986, and assistant general manager and director of pro personnel from 2001 to 2002. Smith was also a scout for the Giants in 1977, for the New England Patriots from 1978 to 1980, and the Houston Oilers in 1981. Then from 1986 to 2000, Smith was with the Bills where he was a scout, assistant director of college scouting, and director of pro personnel. After his time as general manager of the Chargers, Smith was a senior executive and consultant for Washington.

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