EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- In a sport laden with uber-confident stars, Chargers outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu is the opposite. As a rookie, he evolved into one of the team's most consistent players, finishing 4.5 sacks, which tied for seventh among rookies, but admitted to reporters he still gets nervous about talking to quarterback Justin Herbert because of Herbert's star power.
Tuipulotu is part of an outside linebacker group led by Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, two of the league's most accomplished at the position, who aren't as shy as the 21-year old Tuipulotu, but nearly as reserved in their nature.
When the Chargers signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree in March, the dynamic of the Chargers' quiet-but-dominant room quickly changed.
"Bud brings a lot of energy to the room," said Tuipulotu, who said he appreciates Dupree's support after each rep at practice. "We usually didn't really do that. I don't know why we didn't, but Bud brings that energy, and it's been good."
Dupree, 31, had a career renaissance last year, notching 6.5 sacks and 39 tackles with eight tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits for the Atlanta Falcons. Dupree joined one of the league's most talented groups as an outside linebacker, giving the Chargers an embarrassment of riches at the position. Before the Chargers began playing meaningful football, teammates said Dupree had already changed this group with his personality.
"I've probably been a class clown my whole life," Dupree told ESPN. "So it's easy. It's just me being me, man."
Dupree, a 2015 first-round pick, spent his first six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, establishing himself as an impactful pass rusher. Dupree broke the 10-sack barrier once -- with the Steelers in 2019 when he played every game and had a career-high 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits. He's played in 119 career games (99 starts) with 305 tackles, 53 sacks, and 70 tackles for loss.
When the Chargers signed Dupree, the move was somewhat of a surprise, considering that Dupree was still playing to the level of a starter; it was a signing that shocked Bosa, who said he views the Chargers as having four starting edge rushers now.
"Not only him as a player, but as a personality," Bosa said. "He is a funny guy. And to have that in the room, another vet is always a great addition, but I'm just excited to have him and Tuli, and to be able to rotate like that and not drop off at all when we come off the field is huge."
Heading into his 10th season, but first as a backup, Dupree also knows how his role has changed. Last year, he and Calais Campbell were starters in Atlanta, but he said he's comfortable knowing that he'll be a rotational player and that part of that role is pushing the proverbial buttons of the starters and the rest of the group.
"They are great players, they're just chill," Dupree said. "Joey goes out there and gets a sack and just walks off. Khalil goes out there, gets a sack -- I'm talking about doing a great move -- and walks off. I do a great move, get a sack, I'm going to yell at people, I'm going to walk around talking sh-t. So I just like to be the person that hype it up a little bit."
Dupree has been active at training camp, getting pressure and rotating across the defensive line. He will likely be featured in three edge rusher packages with Mack, Bosa, or Tuipulotu this season. Last season, that package was effective for the Chargers, including a Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans when Tuipulotu drew in two linemen to free up a sack for Bosa.
Dupree is often one of the loudest players on the field, celebrating with defensive backs or hyping up teammates; he already found his unique ways to motivate Mack, which Dupree says are effective. His new nickname for Mack is "Revis," comparing Mack to former New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis when Mack drops into coverage.
"Edge rushers don't like dropping in coverage, so we got to make little jokes with each other," he said. "I be calling him 'Revis Island,' now he wants to drop more, he's signaling, he's looking at the receiver, saying, 'I'm about to lock you up.'"
Mack has welcomed all of Dupree's energy -- and nicknames -- throughout the offseason. While Dupree's value this offseason has been in jokes, banter, and energy; his role will be essential for a Chargers defense that looks to bounce back after a season where they ranked 28th in the league in yards allowed per game (362.9).
"It's refreshing. Just having me and Joey, it can get a little boring," Mack said. "But Bud brings the personality, he brings the excitement, kind of cheers the guys on throughout the practice and kind of keeps the juices flowing in the room and keeps it light. He is a funny dude as well, so it's cool having Bud in there."