Bud Dupree Has A Big Day Following Pro Bowl Snub

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree was surprisingly left completely off the NFL’s Pro Bowl team that was released earlier this week. Despite being ranked in the top-10 in both overall sacks and tackles for loss, the former Kentucky star didn’t even find his name on the alternate list.

In a 22-6 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, Dupree registered seven tackles – two of them solo – and one sack. He’s up to 10.5 sacks on the season and the only other outside linebacker in the AFC with more sacks than Dupree lines up right next to him – his teammate, TJ Watt.

With that tackle for loss, LB Bud Dupree has now recorded 14 TFLs this season, which ranks tied for fifth in the NFL…#BertschyBits#HereWeGo

— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) December 22, 2019

LB Bud Dupree has now recorded 10.5 sacks this season, which ranks tied for eighth in the NFL…#BertschyBits #HereWeGo

— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) December 22, 2019

“Bud has been playing a hell of a season,” Watt said, according to Joe Rutter of TribLive.com. “He has the stats, but even if you don’t look at the stats and just watch the game, he’s a game-wrecker. I don’t know what they didn’t really see there, but I’m sure it will be the right motivation for him.”

Dupree is in the midst of his best season as a pro. Heading into Sunday, he’d recorded four forced fumbles, 13 quarterback hits, and a career-high of 58 tackles on top of his 10.5 sacks.

“I guess they’re not going by the stats at all,” Dupree said.

The 26-year old is going to be a free agent this offseason and couldn’t be performing at a better time. The Pro Bowl snub stings now, but it won’t hurt nearly as much once that new contract hits.

The Steelers are 8-7 on the year with just one more game against the Baltimore Ravens left on the regular season schedule. Pittsburgh will have to win that game – with a Tennessee Titans loss – in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.