Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly interested in reunion with linebacker

Dupree spent the first six years of his NFL career in Pittsburgh. A first-round pick in 2015, he had developed into a full-time starter by his third season with the team and a key producer by the end of his rookie contract. Playing on the fifth-year option, the Kentucky product posted a career-best 11.5 sacks during the 2019-20 campaign. He followed that stellar showing up by recording another eight quarterback takedowns while working on the franchise tag the following season.

Those totals ultimately earned Dupree a massive deal with the Titans on the free agent market. That five-year, $82 million contract carried hefty expectations for player and team, but Dupree struggled to stay healthy during his time in Nashville, playing in just 22 total contests over his two two seasons with the Titans and -- more worryingly -- failing to produce at the level he showed during his time in Pittsburgh.

After posting just seven total sacks during his time in a Titans uniform, it came as little surprise when Tennessee released him in a cost-cutting move earlier in the offseason. That move allowed the Titans to turn their attention elsewhere in the edge rush department, while leaving Dupree as one of several veteran pass rushers on the open market this year.

Now 30 years old, Dupree could be well-served to return to the Steelers. The team has T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at the top of their depth chart, which would allow Dupree to serve as a sort of high-end insurance policy and experienced rotational rusher. Should Dupree wind up in Pittsburgh once more, it will almost certainly not be on the kind of mega-contract which he signed with Tennessee.