The Los Angeles Chargers on Monday signed Troy Dye.
Here are five things to know about Dye:
1. Welcome to the Bolts
Dye is on the move for the first time in his NFL career.
The linebacker arrives in Los Angeles after four seasons in Minnesota.
He's a former fourth-round selection (No. 132 overall) by the Vikings in the 2020 Draft and made eight starts on defense during the time with the team.
2. Special teams connection
Dye has been one of the core special teams contributors during his time with the Vikings — and it overlaps with current Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken.
Ficken was Minnesota's assistant special teams coach during Dye's first season and became their special teams coordinator in 2021.
Dye saw his special teams usage go up significantly in Ficken's lone year as the coordinator with the Vikings, as he logged the second-most special teams snaps that season at 326.
Even after Ficken joined the Bolts, Dye still logged the third-most special teams snaps among Vikings players in 2022 with 330.
The Los Angeles Chargers today signed linebacker Troy Dye
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) celebrates with cornerback Camryn Bynum (43) during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday Oct. 3, 2021 in Minneapolis. The Browns won 14-7. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Vikings, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Vikings, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings, 12-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) intercepts a pass and runs with the ball during the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in Minneapolis. The Colts defeated the Vikings 12-10. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. The Raiders defeated the Vikings, 26-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings, 12-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) runs downfield on kickoff coverage against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 34-26. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings, 12-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Bears won 12-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
3. Experienced on defense
Dye has played more snaps on special teams, but he does have experience filling in at linebacker when needed.
The 27-year-old has logged 408 defensive snaps in his career and played in the middle of the defense for 25 games.
The majority of his playing time on defense came in both his rookie year and his most recent season in 2023 when he saw action in the back half of the year. Dye has 80 total tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two passes defended.
4. Another Oregon Duck
The newest Bolts acquisition's time at Oregon ran concurrently with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Dye jumped onto the scene at Oregon as a true freshman as he lead the team in total tackles, one of only three true freshman in the FBS to accomplish that feat.
He also led the team with 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks on his way to earning Freshman All-America honors by multiple outlets.
He would go on to have the same impact the rest of his collegiate career, becoming the only player in Oregon history to lead the team in tackles for four consecutive seasons. He was also third in program history in career tackles (397) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (44.0).
Dye earned Second-Team All-Pac 12 honors from 2017 to 2019 and finished his career as one of only nine players in the FBS since 2000 with career totals of at least 15 sacks and five interceptions.
5. California HS Star
Dye put his tackling on display even at Norco High School, where he made a name for himself in the state of California.
In his junior and senior year, Dye would rack up 211 tackles and five interceptions while also adding two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.
He was selected a First-Team All-State selection and first-team All-CIF and became a three-star prospect, ultimately deciding to stay on the West Coast and commit to Oregon.
