Steelers' Former First-Round Pick Secures Contract Extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he was with the team for six seasons.

Now, Dupree finds himself with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he has just secured a contract extension with his new club.

Dupree was cut by the Steelers as well as the Tennessee Titans, and he was not re-signed by the Atlanta Falcons, who he was with in the 2023 season. So what did he do this past season with the Chargers that made them want to re-sign him?

It's because he played a key role in the team finishing 2024 with the sixth-most sacks in the entire NFL.

He finished with 28 total tackles, with six of them being for a loss. But it was his ability to get to the quarterback that made him valuable to the team, as he racked up six sacks as well as 10 QB hits. He was also able to show his ball-hawk skills with two passes defended and an interception.

Back in 2019, Dupree broke out with an 11.5 sack season with the Steelers, when he formed a very dangerous duo with T.J. Watt. That may have been six seasons ago, but the veteran proved this past season that he can still get it done.

Watt is still kicking with the Steelers, and Dupree will be looking to help the Chargers contend with the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West in 2025.