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NFL Free Agency: Pittsburgh Steelers bringing in Bud Dupree for a visit

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery03/24/23
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(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a reunion with one of their old pass rushers. The franchise is reportedly bringing in free agent pass rusher Bud Dupree for a visit, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. He racked up 39.5 sacks during his six seasons with the Steelers.

He finished last season on injured reserve with the Tennessee Titans, but he’s healthy and recovered now. One of his best seasons with Pittsburgh was in 2019, when he had 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits.

During his NFL career, Dupree has posted 266 total tackles and 46.5 sacks. He’s also collected four fumble recoveries off 10 forced fumbles as well as an interception. During the last two seasons with Tennessee however, he produced just 35 tackles and two fumble recoveries, playing in just 22 games and starting 17 of those.

During his college career with the Kentucky Wildcats, Dupree was named first team All-SEC in 2014, after he racked up 74 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

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Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make major moves with the defense this offseason. Those moves now include the release of leading tackler Myles Jack, according to Adam Schefter.

Jack, who signed with Pittsburgh last offseason on a two-year deal worth $16 million, had a cap hit of $11.25 million for the 2023 season. His contract included a potential out this offseason, which includes a $3.25 million dead cap hit.

Myles Jack, a UCLA alum, was a second-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played six seasons for the Jaguars before moving to Pittsburgh and leading the Steelers with a 104-tackle season in 2022.

Prior to Jack’s news breaking, former Miami Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts shared that he would be signing a two-year deal with the Steelers.

The Roberts addition will help the Steelers defense greatly in their rebuild. They lost their fourth-leading tackler Robert Spillane to a $9 million deal with the Raiders earlier this month. Meanwhile, free agent Devin Bush signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

Pittsburgh also added former Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb this offseason. In seven games last year for the Commanders, he racked up 69 total tackles and one pass deflection. On Dec. 5, 2022, he underwent foot surgery and had to miss the remainder of the 2022 campaign.

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this article.