The Pittsburgh Steelers are being linked to upcoming free agents in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Javon Hargrave, but while both would be exciting reunions, there might be a more realistic name that returns to the black and gold.
One Steelers analyst, Chris Carter, host of the Locked-On Steelers Podcast, examined an even better fit for Pittsburgh - Bud Dupree.
Since leaving the Steelers for the Tennessee Titans in 2021, Dupree has played just 22 games and recorded seven sacks. His lack of production came from a slow recovery from ACL surgery that he suffered during his final year in Pittsburgh.
Now, two years removed from the injury, he could be looking for a prove-it deal with a familiar team.
During his final two years with the Steelers, Dupree totaled 19.5 sacks and 24 tackles for loss. He played just eight games his final season before the ACL injury.
The Steelers aren't looking for a starting outside linebacker, and find themselves once again considering extending the player opposite of T.J. Watt. This time, however, they could bring Dupree back to play behind Alex Highsmith, the reverse of how the trio ended their time together in 2021.
"The same reason the Steelers brought back James Harrison when he was underperforming for the Bengals because they were using him the wrong way," Carter said. "Bud Dupree, I think we've seen, isn't the Batman of the pass rushers on a roster. He's meant to be part of an overall group who can be really explosive and really athletic."
Dupree is still under contract for the upcoming season, but at 30 years old and set to make $20 million, the Titans will likely move on in free agency.
"The same reason the Steelers brought back James Harrison when he was underperforming for the Bengals because they were using him the wrong way. Bud Dupree, I think we've seen, isn't the Batman of the pass rushers on a roster. He's meant to be part of an overall group who can be really explosive and really athletic."
Carter foresees Dupree signing for a similar contract to Larry Ogunjobi, somewhere in the neighborhood of $8 million for the season. And with the addition, Pittsburgh solves their long-standing problem of trying to find a third edge rusher.
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