Former Steelers First-Round Pick Bud Dupree Is Excited To Return To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected linebacker Bud Dupree with their first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Over his six seasons with the team, Dupree started in 66 games, recording 39.5 sacks, 231 combined tackles, eight forced fumbles, and 65 quarterback hits. While he was a solid part of the Steelers' defense, he didn’t quite live up to the first-round expectations, leading Pittsburgh to allow him to leave. Coming off an injury, Dupree received an offer from the Tennessee Titans that the Steelers were unwilling to match.

In 2023, there were discussions about bringing Dupree back, but the Steelers missed out as he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He even flirted with the idea of a return to the team in 2024, but nothing came of it. Now, Dupree is a member of the Los Angeles Chargers. When the Steelers' official 2024 schedule was released, it revealed that Dupree would have a chance to return to Pittsburgh during the 2024 season. The Steelers will face off against Dupree's new team, the Chargers, in Week 3.

Dupree recently joined the Green Light with Chris Long podcast to discuss his reaction to the opportunity to return to Pittsburgh. He spoke highly of the chance to come back to the Steel City, expressing excitement about the matchup and reflecting positively on his time with the Steelers.

“Yeah, that’s dope. That was amazing. Going into it, I wasn’t even thinking that the Chargers would play those teams, but now that they are, it’s always a great homecoming to go back to Pittsburgh, no matter what team you are playing for. If you played in Pittsburgh, to go back to play in Pittsburgh is always good. It’s always a great feeling. The fans will show you love.”

Dupree is excited to return to Pittsburgh, but his biggest thrill comes from reuniting with many of his former coaches, especially Mike Tomlin.

“You will be able to feel that homecoming because the whole coaching staff that played when I was there is still there. They never changed, so it’s always a good opportunity to be able to see those people.”

Steelers fans might find it cool to see Dupree back in Pittsburgh, but they certainly won't be cheering for him. The Steelers have been dealt a daunting schedule for the 2024 season, making it crucial for them to get off to a hot start. 

The home opener against the Chargers is a must-win game, especially since they’ll be facing a formidable opponent led by the talented quarterback Justin Herbert and guided by their new head coach, Jim Harbaugh. The pressure is on for the Steelers to secure an early victory and set a positive tone for the rest of the season.

Dupree arrived in Pittsburgh with high expectations as a first-round draft pick. Unfortunately, his promising career with the Steelers was disrupted by an ACL injury during a season where he had already achieved eight sacks. Prior to this setback, Dupree demonstrated his potential and skill, particularly during the 2019 season, which was his best with the Steelers. 

Steelers' Bud Dupree Got A Better Offer And Pittsburgh Didn't Match It

In 2019, he recorded an impressive 11.5 sacks. His play that year earned him a franchise tag with the team. However, after the 2020 season, the Steelers opted not to match a lucrative offer from the Titans, leading to Dupree's departure from the team. His time in Pittsburgh may have been cut short, but his impact during the 2019 season remains a highlight of his career with the Steelers.

The Steelers were confident in their depth behind Dupree, and it seems they made the right call. Alex Highsmith has emerged as a standout player, performing exceptionally well in his role. Together with T.J. Watt, Highsmith has formed a formidable duo, wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. As they head into the 2024 season, the Steelers can look forward to another year of this dynamic pair causing trouble for their opponents.