As expected, the Steeler won’t place their franchise tag on Bud Dupree, making him a free agent.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the team informed Dupree on Tuesday of the move.
Dupree was tagged by the team last season and signed for over $15.8 million.
Contract and salary website Spotrac has Dupree carrying a value of $18.2 a year, a number the Steelers simply do not have room for.
Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a media call last month that it was unlikely they would use the franchise tag on a player this season.
After a relatively disappointing start to his career, the former first round draft pick played the best season of his career in 2019 with 11.5 sacks.
His play continued to improve for the first half of the 2020 season, becoming one of the most dominant linebacker combinations in the game alongside T.J. Watt. Dupree forced two fumbles and recorded eight sacks before tearing his ACL in the Steelers Week 11 victory against Baltimore.
Dupree could possibly sign a one-year “prove it” deal with another team after coming off the injury to show he deserves a big-money, long-term contract.
The 28-year-old Dupree has played six years in the NFL, all with the Steelers.
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