- Los Angeles Chargers. DJ Chark Jr reportedly agree to with the Chargers as Bolts boost wide receiving core
- Kansas City Chiefs. Rashee Rice facing NFL 'enhanced suspension' as police probe alleged car crash and assault cases
The Los Angeles Chargers defense was the laughingstock of the AFC West in 2023. Defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley's unit went from being one of the most feared in the NFL in 2022 to barely hanging on in 2023. However, all of that is about to change, thanks to the arrival of head coach Jim Harbaugh and a defensive weapon that makes Patrick Mahomes himself tremble.
The resounding fall and firing of head coach Brandon Staley last year was just the beginning of a deep rebuild for the Chargers. Harbaugh cleaned the house from top to bottom, and among his most recent decisions is hiring edge rusher Bud Dupree.
The Kentucky Wildcats product has left a trail of destruction on offenses across the NFL. Since his arrival to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 Draft, the star linebacker has accumulated 53 sacks and 305 tackles, 213 of them solo.
The renewed Chargers' defense
With Harbaugh at the helm and Jesse Minter as the new defensive coordinator, Los Angeles looks to regain the respect of the NFL and return to the postseason. With that goal in mind, Dupree's arrival will be essential to complement the work of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Despite the undoubted talent on the Chargers roster, internal problems derailed the entire team. The defense went from being the seventh-best overall and number 12 against the in 2022 to rank number 28 overall and 27th against the in 2023.
In addition to Staley's poor leadership, the defense's work was affected by Bosa's foot injury. Mack tried to fill the void left by his partner in crime, but his work was insufficient in the midst of the crisis in the locker room.
What it means for the AFC West
With the arrival of Dupree and a hopefully recovered Bosa, Minter has the weapons to shake the Western Division of the American Conference. Dupree's arrival will have quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, rookie Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, and Aidan O'Connell of the Las Vegas Raiders looking over their shoulders at all times.
The rest of the NFL should also worry, as Dupree has proven to be a force of respect after his time with the Atlanta Falcons, where he accumulated 6.5 sacks in 2023, and in 2022 gave four to the Tennessee Titans.