As soon as there was talk of Bud Dupree being released by the Tennesee Titans, we knew that Steelers fans would be quick to entertain the idea of bringing back the former first-round pick. Dupree found ample success during his time with Pittsburgh, but the Steelers simply could not afford to match the lucrative five-year, $82.5 million contract the Titans were willing to give him during the 2021 offseason.
Fast forward two years and things have not gone so well for Dupree. After combining for 19.5 sacks during his final two years in Pittsburgh, Durpee's impact has been minimal each of his past two seasons in Tennesee -- collecting a grand total of just 7.0 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss, per ESPN stats.
Much of this could be due to constant injury issues that held him out of 12 total games during this span. However, the Titans are apparently deciding that he isn't worth the substantial $20.2 million cap he would cost the team during the 2023 season, and he is expected to be released, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Titans cannot release OLB Bud Dupree until the start of the league year, March 15, due to his remaining guaranteed salary. But they plan to release him then. The move will save the Titans $9.35 million against their cap.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2023
With his release almost certainly on the horizon, Steelers fans are salivating over the chance to get back their former first-round pick to play in a rotation on the edge with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Apparently, Highsmith has already vouched for Dupree.
On an episode of the House of Yinzer Podcast, Highsmith expressed how he would love to have Dupree come back to Pittsburgh.
""If it were to happen, that would definitely be a three-headed monster, for sure. When he was here, my locker was actually right next to his, so that was pretty cool. Him and T.J., both of them were just very helpful in bringing me up my rookie year and just helping me to get better. Even when he went down my rookie year with his injury, he was still encouraging me and telling me things in meetings and stuff like that.""Alex Highsmith
Highsmith and Dupree overlapped just one season in Pittsburgh in 2020 before Dupree inked his massive deal with the Titans. Now the market might be a bit thin for the 30-year-old pass-rusher with an extensive injury history and a lack of production in recent years.
Steelers should pursue Bud Dupree
Highsmith's endorsement was hardly needed for the Steelers to consider a move like this, but it certainly doesn't hurt. In addition to a potentially flat market for Dupree, it makes a lot of sense for Pittsburgh to have their bases covered.
Highsmith is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and coming off a 14.5-sack season, his price tag could be very steep in 2024 and beyond. There's no guarantee that the Steelers will be able to lock him up to a long-term deal, as they are already paying great money at the position with the contract they gave T.J. Watt.
Even if we are just looking at this move as a temporary depth fix, it may be worth throwing a few million in the direction of Dupree. For a team that relies so heavily on Watt and the disruption he creates, it's bizarre that they didn't try harder to find a better rotational outside linebacker than Malik Reed last season.
Pittsburgh might have the worst EDGE depth in the NFL, and while Dupree may no longer be starter material, he could certainly fix the issue. If the former first-round pick is willing to humble himself and come back to Pittsburgh in a part-time rotational role, the Steelers should welcome him back with open arms.