According to multiple sources, one of the top linebackers on the free agent market, Bud Dupree is heading to Tennessee.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says the multi-year deal is worth $16.5 million a season.
If Dupree was to stay in Pittsburgh, he would likely have had to do it for around $6 million on a one-year contract as another “prove-it” deal, but obviously Bud wanted to get paid and now he is…in a big way.
There was little belief the Steelers would be able to keep Dupree with their current cap issues, but some were hopeful Bud might stay for one more year.
Dupree was on his way to another solid season, with 8 sacks 2 forced fumbles and 31 tackles before he tore his ACL in Week 12 against Baltimore.
“Big Bud”, a former #1 draft pick, started out his Steelers career with promise but was mediocre in the following years before having the best season of his career in 2019.
Fellow linebacker T.J. Watt and Dupree were considered the most dominant outside linebacker combo in the game before Bud's inury.
The question is now whether or not Dupree can keep up the top-level play in Tennessee without Watt on the other side.
Dupree played under the Steelers franchise tag in 2020 (worth $15.8 million) after both sides were unable to agree on a long-term deal.
Dupree spent six seasons in Pittsburgh with a total of 39.5 sacks and 231 total tackles.
Dupree’s value likely went up after top edge rusher Shaq Barrett signed a 4-year deal worth $72 million to stay with Tampa Bay.
Dupree was considered the 2nd best edge rusher on the market, so after Shaq signed, Bud's stock rose.