ESPN analyst Seth Walder handed the Los Angeles Chargers a respectable B grade for their offseason, but one lingering concern stood out in his review: Los Angeles may have left a crucial box unchecked at edge rusher.
“It’s a fine cost for one more season of Mack,” Walder wrote. “If anything, I wish the Chargers invested more in this area — after Mack they have Bud Dupree, Tuli Tuipulotu and fourth-round pick Kyle Kennard after releasing Joey Bosa in early March. I’d have liked to have seen them pursue a better option in free agency or the draft.”
That skepticism is warranted. After all, this was one of the NFL’s most productive pass-rush units last season, finishing with 46 total sacks, tied for sixth in the league. Now, with Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack nearing the end of his career, the Chargers are betting big on a restructured room full of upside, age, and uncertainty.
Chargers Banking on New Pass Rush Core in 2025
Mack’s One-Year Encore
Khalil Mack is back on a one-year, $18 million deal — a figure that reflects both his past production and the urgency of LA’s roster. The 33-year-old logged 6.0 sacks, 15 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 2024, earning his ninth Pro Bowl nod despite a below-average 13% pass rush win rate. Still, Mack has consistently outperformed the analytics throughout his career.
Money wasn’t the deciding factor in returning, Mack said. “I still want that Super Bowl,” he emphasized. “And I believe this team can get there.”
With Justin Herbert at quarterback and Jim Harbaugh now leading the way, the belief isn’t unfounded. But production off the edge will be essential to LA’s 2025 playoff hopes.
Tuipulotu’s Breakout Path
With Bosa in Buffalo, the Chargers are leaning heavily on Tuli Tuipulotu, who broke out with 8.5 sacks and 11 deflections last season. A 2023 second-round pick, Tuipulotu has the versatility to line up across the front and is drawing praise as a likely breakout star in 2025. If his upward trajectory continues, the Chargers may have their long-term Bosa replacement already in-house.
Bud Dupree: Mentor and Producer
Los Angeles extended veteran Bud Dupree through 2026 after a quietly strong season that included 6.0 sacks, 10 QB hits, and key rotational snaps. At 32, Dupree adds consistency and leadership — especially valuable in grooming the team’s new addition, rookie Kyle Kennard.
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Dupree was instrumental in Tuipulotu’s development last year and now provides both production and mentorship for a reshuffled pass-rush unit.
Kennard: The Wild Card Rookie
Kyle Kennard might be the Chargers’ biggest swing — and potential steal. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year tallied 11.5 sacks at South Carolina and slipped to the fourth round, despite a draft profile many believed merited Day 2 consideration.
His explosive get-off and pass-rush instincts should translate quickly in sub-packages. With Mack and Tuipulotu starting and Dupree rotating, Kennard can grow into a role without being overburdened early.
Bleacher Report tabbed him as the Chargers’ likely breakout rookie — and a possible draft-day steal.
Rolling the Dice on the Edge
The Chargers’ retooled pass-rush group isn’t without risk. Young depth like Tre’Mon Morris-Brash, Chris Collins, and Caleb Murphy will compete for roles, and any slip in production from Mack or Tuipulotu could expose the unit’s thin margin for error.
Still, LA’s front office clearly sees the upside. In betting on a mix of experience and untapped potential, the Chargers are gambling that they can maintain their identity as a top-tier pass-rushing defense — even without Joey Bosa.
As Walder said, they may not have done quite enough. But if the gambles on Mack, Tuipulotu, Dupree, and Kennard hit, the payoff could be big.
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