The Pittsburgh Steelers and Bud Dupree experienced a lot of growing pains during their six seasons together from 2015 to 2020. Dupree was the Steelers' first selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. The pick was made to amend a previous error when the team selected linebacker Jarvis Jones in the first round of 2013 NFL Draft. Jones of course never lived up to his first-round pick billing and eventually was allowed to walk after his rookie contract expired. Jones would finish his career with only six sacks.
Dupree was supposed to come in immediately and fix the issue at outside linebacker opposite of legend James Harrison, but that didn't happen. Dupree would start only five games as a rookie, and his sophomore season in the NFL turned into a forgettable one. During training camp in 2016, Dupree suffered a grade 3 tear of his groin that would eventually land him on injured reserve. Under the old league rules, that kept Dupree out for at least eight weeks.
Finally in year 3, it was going to be time for Dupree to make a big impact. This time, Dupree would start 15 games but only record six sacks. It wouldn't be until the 2019 season that Dupree would show his worth. Opposite of TJ Watt, Dupree made a huge impact, notching his first double-digit sack season and causing four forced fumbles. He would parlay that into another solid season in 2020 before tearing his ACL. From there, the Tennessee Titans gave him a huge $82 million contract; and it's a contract that Dupree just hasn't been able to live up to.
Injuries held Dupree to only 22 games in two seasons with the Titans. Last week to clear salary cap room, the Titans released receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham, and tackle Taylor Lewan. A surprise to most, Dupree wasn't included. However, according to OverTheCap.com, it's because the team has to wait until the start of the new league year to dump Dupree.
It was further explained that if the Titans released him prior to the start of the league year, the team would be on the hook for the guaranteed money on their 2022 cap, not their 2023 cap. That would eat into rollover money and have other various cap ramifications.
Dupree now has been connected to the Steelers by many since the beginning of the offseason. The Steelers need a third outside linebacker. Watt and breakout star Alex Highsmith aren't always on the field. Pittsburgh uses substitutions for both of these guys to keep them fresh for third down or other key plays. When they're not on the field, it has left them with subpar play from the outside linebacker position.
Last season, the team traded for Malik Reed right before the beginning of the season. It was believed he was an up-and-coming player who could make an impact rotating in. That never came to fruition. Pittsburgh also brought back Jamir Jones off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars after releasing him last season. Reed had the only sack between the pair.
In his weekly installment of the "Friday Insider," Dejan Kovacevic, owner of DK Pittsburgh Sports states that if the Steelers can get a chance, they will bring back Dupree:
"Could Bud Dupree return to Pittsburgh," Kovaecvic asks readers.
"He will if the Steelers have their way, I'm told by multiple sources in recent days, but he won't unless the Titans, who have him under contract for the next three NFL seasons, cut him loose this summer. Which they're very likely to do."
The addition of a healthy Dupree would certainly upgrade the Steelers edge-rush presence. Imagine the fun packages the Steelers could incorporate with three stud outside linebackers. Even while being limited the past two seasons, Dupree has still managed seven sacks and 15 quarterback hits, not to mention he's also very good against the run. You all know how the Steelers rush defense has fared since he left two years ago.
If Dupree does come back, it won't be on a back-breaking contract. Just recently turning 30 years old and coming off two injury-plagued seasons isn't going to get him a ton of money. But coming back to Pittsburgh, where he's familiar with the system, and gets to play with Highsmith and Watt again, wouldn't be a bad thing for his career. A one-year prove-it deal in Pittsburgh could get him his last sizable contract in the league somewhere else if he's able to stay healthy. Worst-case scenario, he'd be protection in the off chance the Steelers aren't able to work out a long-term deal with Highsmith.
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