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Should the Steelers sign a free agent edge defender instead of Bud Dupree?

By Tommy Jaggi

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Linebacker Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams gestures to the crowd during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Linebacker Dante Fowler #56 of the Los Angeles Rams gestures to the crowd during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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The Steelers have a difficult decision to make when it comes to re-signing edge defender Bud Dupree. Here’s why replacing him with a free agent might not be a bad idea.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stressed this offseason that getting a contract extension done with Bud Dupree is a top priority. The former first-round draft choice of 2015 finally broke out in his fifth NFL season – recording 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback hits, and 4 forced fumbles.

But is giving Dupree a lucrative new deal really the best option for the Steelers. While I’ll be the first to admit that Dupree’s performance in 2019 was beyond anything we have seen from him over his first four seasons, there are still a lot of question marks that come with giving him a rich, new extension.

Dupree’s one year of production came conveniently during the final year of his contract. This begs some questions: Was he working harder than before to get a new deal this offseason? Will he continue this level of production on a new contract? Was his production due to playing the opposite of T.J. Watt? Was 2019 just a fluke year?

Because of these concerns, Pittsburgh should explore all of their options before getting locked into a contract they can’t get out of. One of those options would be exploring other edge defenders in free agency.

The 2020 free-agent pool is riddled with talent at pass rusher. It includes names like Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen, Dante Fowler, Shaquil Barrett, Matt Judon, Vic Beasley, Yannick Ngakoue and Robert Quinn.

Though several of these players may be offered extensions by their teams, the rest could be hitting the open market. It’s possible that the cost of retaining Bud Dupree could be similar to that of acquiring a player like Dante Fowler or Robert Quinn. In fact, some of these options may be cheaper.

Dupree had an excellent season in 2019, but if some of these guys were able to line up along a defensive line that includes players like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, there’s no telling what they may be able to do with this team next year.

I am not opposed to the Steelers re-signing Bud Dupree. However, for the price tag that he is going to demand, it’s certainly possible that Pittsburgh could acquire a more established, consistent pass rusher at a similar price.

It’s extremely unlikely the Steelers explore this as a possible option, but the front office shouldn’t be closing any doors like this. If contract negotiations with Dupree start heading south, Pittsburgh could use the money they would have given Dupree to sign one of these established edge defenders.

Next. Should the Steelers re-sign cornerback Mike Hilton?. dark

Whatever happens this offseason, it will be critical for Pittsburgh to keep their top-notch defense intact if they want to stand a chance at a Super Bowl run next year when Ben Roethlisberger returns.

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