A potential reunion between Bud Dupree and the Pittsburgh Steelers became one step closer to being a reality Thursday when the 30-year-old outside linebacker and the team met at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Dupree, who spent the first six of his eight NFL seasons with the Steelers, became a free agent when the Tennessee Titans released him March 6 after two seasons of a five-year, $82.5 million contract.
Dupree was beset by injuries with the Titans, appearing in 22 of a possible 34 games and making 17 starts in the 2021-22 seasons. His tenure with the Steelers ended in 2020 when he tore his ACL in a December game against Washington.
Dupree’s best seasons were in 2019 when he totaled a career-high 11.5 sacks and 2020 when he added eight more prior to his season-ending injury. In six seasons with the Steelers, Dupree collected 39.5 of his 46.5 career sacks.
If he rejoins the Steelers, Dupree would slot in behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who was a rookie in Dupree’s final season with the franchise. Highsmith is coming off a season in which he finished with 14.5 sacks, which ranked sixth in the NFL.
The Steelers are in the market for a veteran backup at outside linebacker. Malik Reed filled that role last season, but he was inactive late in the season and departed in free agency for the Miami Dolphins.
