The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a good job as an organization of finding strong defensive talent, both in free agency and through the NFL Draft. Players like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Alex Highsmith are all players that are homegrown in Pittsburgh that the Steelers found through the draft, even finding a star in Highsmith in the third round in 2020. The Steelers are always looking to improve the defensive side of the ball, and that has been shown with the recent signing of Patrick Queen, and trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick during the 2019 season. Pittsburgh now has an opportunity to sign and reunite with former players that have contributed to their strong defense in the past.
Pittsburgh has a strong outside linebacker unit, headlined by Highsmith and Watt, with Nick Herbig being a promising young player as the back up to both stars. In order to have Watt and Highsmith playing at the high level they are accustomed to, the Steelers need to add depth behind Herbig so that the two starters are able to take breaks during possessions. Last year, the Steelers had Markus Golden, who is currently a free agent. Former Steelers linebacker, Bud Dupree, who played his first six NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, is also a free agent.
Cam Heyward shared his excitement about being able to reunite with either of his former teammates on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.
"Having Markus Golden this past year, Markus Golden is very unselfish, just goes to work, you know? He's a lunch pale type of dude. Runs down the field. I love Bud, I think those two guys, we got to get for that fourth position, man, having either of those guys, we'd be pretty lucky."
Heyward played six seasons with Dupree and played just one year with Golden during the 2023 season. Dupree played through the 2019 season in Pittsburgh under his rookie contract, and he was then franchise tagged for the 2020 season. After the season concluded, he left Pittsburgh and joined the Tennessee Titans on a five-year, $82.5 million contract, but was released ahead of the 2023 season. He played on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 under new Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
Dupree was extremely successful in Pittsburgh, recording 39.5 sacks throughout his six seasons spent with the organization. He is most remembered for his jaw dropping hit on Matt Moore during the first round of the 2016 NFL playoffs. He hasn't experienced the same success since he left the Steelers, but bringing him back may just revive his career. He has already suggested he would be open to returning to Pittsburgh, and his current market value sits at $5.7 million according to Spotrac, on what would likely be a one-year deal.
Golden spent one season in Pittsburgh, and he proved to be a good depth piece coming off of the edge. He recorded 4 sacks along with 6 tackles for loss in his lone season with the Steelers. He played in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million in 2023, and it would likely cost a bit more to bring him back for 2024. His market value should fall between his $1.3 million cap hit from 2023 and Dupree's $5.7 million market value.
Steelers Have Other Options On The Free Agent Market
There are a few players on the open market that the Steelers could consider signing to bring some depth to the outside linebacker position other than Golden or Dupree. David Mayo, Anthony Barr, or Joe Jones would be good options to fill in behind Highsmith, Watt, and Herbig. The Steelers would be able to sign both Jones or Barr for cheap, as each player played in just four games during the 2023 season due to injury issues. Mayo would likely cost the same as Golden, and he was pretty productive for the Washington Commanders in 2023 as he tallied 2 sacks and 59 tackles, playing in all 17 games.
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