One Surprise Chargers Cut to Expect After OTAs
One Surprise Chargers Cut to Expect After OTAs
The Chargers have depth at multiple positions and will face tough decisions heading into the regular season including a roster spot for a veteran edge rusher.Thomas Martinez|
In this story:
Los Angeles ChargersThe Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up their OTAs with mandatory mini-camp on Thursday and will be off until training camp starts in late July. There should not be any concrete declarations before camp battles take place and the pads settle any arguments, but after OTAs it is hard not to see the writing on the wall for some players.
The Chargers underwent massive changes on the offensive side of the ball with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. The excitement and question marks surrounding the offense from Justin Herbert's footwork, to the rebuilt offensive line to the building of the LA YAC kings has clearly overshadowed the defense.
The defense, personnel-wise did not change very much year over year. The big change was the departure of Jesse Minter as he left to accept the head coaching job from the Baltimore Ravens. His replacement Chris O'Leary is one of Minter's disciples and the two have had intertwined careers going back to when O'Leary was a player.
O'Leary is the biggest wildcard of the defensive unit. He is a rookie NFL defensive coordinator with only one year calling plays under his belt. He was in Los Angeles with the Chargers as the safeties coach in 2024 before heading to Western Michigan to become the Broncos 2025 defensive coordinator for his lone season calling plays.
O'Leary completely turned around a weak defense and elevated an unknown edge rusher, Nadame Tucker, to one of the most productive edge rushers in college football as he finished second in the nation in sacks among draft eligible players only behind number two overall pick David Bailey out of Texas Tech.
Tucker's performance was truly incredible for a player entering his final shot at college football. Surprisingly, Tucker went undrafted primarily due to his age, less than ideal arm length and one year of production. Following the draft, Tucker was one Surprisingly, Tucker went undrafted primarily due to his age, less-than-ideal arm length, and one year of production.of the premier UDFA's on the market and he followed his defensive coordinator to Los Angeles.
The Chargers drafted Akheem Mesidor out of the University of Miami in the first round and then in addition, landed Tucker as a priority UDFA. The Chargers edge room now has Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Mesidor, Bud Dupree, 2025 fourth round pick Kyle Kennard and Tucker.
Several Chargers coaches and defensive players have taken the to podium to speak with the media, most notably, Khalil Mack. Mack specifically mentioned that he is excited for Kennard to get to camp as well as Tucker with how hungry they are. This sentiment has been echoed by coaches as well.
The Chargers have carried five edge rushers on the 53-man roster before, but with the way the depth of the roster in other areas is built out this year, six would be near impossible to imagine, five would be tough. This means that at least one if not two of the top edge rushers may not make the final roster.
Bud Dupree may be the surprise cut of the offseason
Veteran Bud Dupree did not attend any of the voluntary OTAs and has not been mentioned often amongst the defensive coaches. We know the top three edge rushers are Mack, Tuipulotu and Mesidor, any other edge rushers in the room will be expected to play significant special teams snaps, which Dupree has traditionally not played. The Chargers surprisingly extended Dupree last off-season and have already paid him a roster bonus for this year that was triggered early in the off-season.
All of the factors surrounding the edge room leave a tough battle ahead for Dupree. Can he maintain a veteran's hold on a role or will the young guys push him out? Given the scenario, Dupree could be a surprise veteran cut at some point in training camp.
Published Jun 19, 2026
THOMAS MARTINEZThomas Martinez has covered the Chargers and the NFL draft since 2022. Born and raised as a Chargers fan, experienced the improbable Super Bowl run in the 94’ season as a child, survived Ryan Leaf, the Marlon McCree fumble and Nate Kaeding in the playoffs. He graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Political Science and The University of Redlands with an MBA.
Home/Los Angeles Chargers Latest News
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
