It’s  that time of year again.  Time to scour the free agent lists, and possible available players who could be cut or traded.  In our Steelers off-season targets 1.0 we have a familiar face in Bud Dupree. Dupree is currently under contract with the Tennessee Titans until 2025.  The Titans have an out this off-season with a dead cap charge of $11 million however.  Most think Tennessee will exercise this out given how disappointing Dupree has been since signing there.

We here at Steelers Sanctuary have been bemoaning the fact that this team dropped the ball when it came to EDGE depth in 2024.  The team got a total of 35 tackles, and just one sack from it’s two backup outside linebackers this season.  The Malik Reed trade basically cost the Steelers nothing in terms of assets, but also gave them nothing in terms of results either.  Jamir Jones never has been, nor ever will be anything more than just a special teams player.  It goes without saying this team needs a serious upgrade here.  What is the Steelers biggest weakness heading into 2022?

Bud Dupree would be a perfect fit for the third edge rusher on this roster.  He is well versed in the Steelers defensive system for one.  Bud should be a pretty cheap signing one would think.  Coming off an injury plagued couple of seasons in Tennessee, we assume he’d be interested in signing a cheaper one year deal to regain his value for 2022.  A part time role to let his body heal, while still producing stats on a very good defense is just what Dupree needs to jump start his career.  At the same time the Steelers get a real quality EDGE rusher at a decent price.  It’s a win, win for both sides.

The Steelers need to ensure they don’t have a repeat of 2022.  Once TJ Watt went down, this defense took a nose dive.  Adding Bud Dupree would be a terrific insurance policy against an injury to either Watt or Alex Highsmith.  It seems like a no-brainer that the Steelers will be interested when/if Bud ever hits the open market.  We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our series on Steelers off-season targets 1.0.