Of all the roster battles the Los Angeles Chargers needed to monitor in training camp and the preseason, it seems as though the competition for the final two edge rusher spots may be the most clearly crystallized.
Nadame Tucker has done more than live up to his reputation as a high-energy pass rusher. He was one of the most productive outside linebackers in college last season under Chris O'Leary at Western Michigan, and he's likely parlayed that into a full 53-man roster spot with the Chargers. That leaves one more spot, at most, to be claimed beyond Los Angeles' primary trio of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, and Akheem Mesidor.
As solid as Garmon Randolph and Andre Carter II have looked at times, that battle almost certainly comes down to second-year defender Kyle Kennard and veteran Bud Dupree. While Kennard still has upside to be unlocked as an athletic, bendy pass rusher, Dupree's veteran experience and leadership may very well give him the edge in the Chargers' final decision.
At least, that's what it seems like from O'Leary's comments on Sunday.
Chargers DC Chris O’Leary on EDGE competition behind Mack, Tuipulotu, and Mesidor: “I think Bud’s [Dupree] been awesome.”
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) August 23, 2026
“A bunch of young guys right now that are competing…This will be a big test Thursday for those guys.”
Dupree's production has declined steadily across his two seasons in Los Angeles. But if he's going to make the roster, it's going to be because of his experience as a run defender and as a high-effort player.
If Dupree is in the lead right now, Thursday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams will be Kennard's final chance to get even a tenuous grip on a roster spot. But he's almost certainly fighting an uphill battle at this point in August.
Bud Dupree seems like the clear-cut choice for the Chargers' final OLB spot
If O'Leary's comments above weren't proof enough of his fondness for Dupree, here's what else he had to say in his press appearance on Sunday.
Chargers DC Chris O'Leary on Bud Dupree:
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) August 23, 2026
"Another dude that I get chills thinking about it because he loves football. He just loves the game. When he's out there, he wants to play as hard as he can. He wants the defense to play hard. He wants to run to the ball, get off blocks.…
Sure, Dupree hasn't been the most productive during his time with the Chargers. Across 33 games with Los Angeles, he's posted just eight sacks, 44 combined tackles, and three passes defended. His 16 combined tackles in 2025 were a career low for the 11-year veteran.
From a perspective of pure upside, Los Angeles would almost certainly be better off keeping Kennard on the roster. Although Kennard missed much of last season—partially due to injury and partially due to his status as a healthy scratch after the acquisition of Odafe Oweh—he's not far removed from his excellent final college season at South Carolina, where he won the Bronko Nagurski award as the SEC's most outstanding defensive player.
But the effort and willingness hasn't been there for Kennard, and he's now missed multiple practices (and the preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers) with an injury he sustained in joint practice last week. He missed practice yesterday as well, leaving him very little time to gain back ground in any competition between him and Dupree.
Although Mack is currently the veteran leader of the room, having someone like Dupree in the fold—even in a limited on-field capacity—could be a major boon to young pieces like Mesidor and Tucker. Is it worth spending one of the limited roster spots on that?
It seems like it very well might be to O'Leary.
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