4 reasons Steelers Bud Dupree won’t be re-signed after 2020

Alex Highsmith

This is bold to say, and there is little guarantee that rookie Alex Highsmith performs as expected, but it is safe to say the Steelers drafted him with the idea that he would take over for Dupree. While a late third-round pick isn’t a huge investment, it was telling when the team opted to use Highsmith more as the rotational piece over veteran backup Olasunkanmi Adeniyi early on in the season.

Even more to that point, the Steelers were content with keeping three outside linebackers on the field at times, again pointing to the fact that this team wanted to get Highsmith involved. While his stats haven’t been gaudy, they have been solid for a rookie. He has already compiled a sack, an interception, and four quarterback pressures, all the while he has only played roughly 20 percent of the defensive snaps.

It is far too early in his career to know if Highsmith will be a better or worse player than Dupree, but it is safe to say that Highsmith will be the far cheaper option going into next year. The Steelers are obviously fans of the rookie, and while Dupree’s injury was unfortunate, it gives the team ample time to see what they have in Highsmith. The team was prepping for this departure, and given how expensive he will be, Dupree is as good as gone.

While Dupree’s time with the Steelers featured a slow start, he has clearly shed the label of ‘bust’ and has become a quality starter on this defense. While letting a player as good as he enters free agency is hard, it seems like the most likely option given these reasons above. It’ll be hard to lose a player of his caliber, but the Steelers seemingly have a depth chart they are excited to start.