One of the areas of need that the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to address in 2023 free agency is the edge rusher position. There is not a ton of depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. The only others who have a chance to make the 53-man roster as of now are Jamir Jones, Quincy Roche and Tae Crowder.
Steelers edge rushers, TJ Watt (#90) and Bud Dupree (#48) stand on the sideline during a regular season game. | Photo Credit: Sarah Stier / Getty Images
It's safe to say that the organization probably has plans to add a solid depth piece and maybe even draft someone at the position as well. The biggest name being linked to Pittsburgh heading into April is former member of the organization: Bud Dupree.
There is an obvious connection here as Dupree was drafted by Pittsburgh and was dominant alongside Watt in his final two seasons with the team before a crushing injury. He tore his ACL 11 games into the 2020 season. He already had eight sacks and the one-two punch with him and Watt seemed to be unstoppable before the season-ending injury.
He ended up recovering and signed a lucrative contract with the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for Tennessee and Dupree, he only started 17 games in two seasons and was released in March of 2023. He is now back on the open market and him coming back to play for the Steelers has been talked about daily.
He would have to be okay with taking a backseat to Highsmith, but a healthy Dupree would make for a very strong three-way rotation and opposing offensive lines would have their hands full. The signing could come any day now and it makes too much sense to sign him to a reasonable one-year deal in a low-risk, high-reward move.
Steelers edge rusher, Alex Highsmith (#56) lines up near the line of scrimmage during a 2022 game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA against the New Orleans Saints. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ray Fittipaldo hosted a chat on Tuesday. Fans from all over wrote in to ask him questions and Dupree came up two different times. The original report of the edge rusher coming in for a visit has not happened yet to Fittipaldo's knowledge.
"I don't know that he's been in yet. It was reported he was going to come for a visit. The owner's meetings are wrapping up tomorrow so maybe it will happen at the end of the week," Fittipaldo wrote.
There is a very good chance that Dupree will be back in the black and gold soon and the insider believes that it's even more likely than some people realize.
"Better than 50%. If he's coming in for a visit it's not for the Steelers to get to know him. They already know him and what he can do for the team. I imagine it's for a physical and money has already been discussed."
Steelers former edge rusher, Bud Dupree (#48) celebrates after making a big play in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Steelers Could Strongly Benefit From A Reunion With Dupree
Fittipaldo makes a great point. The edge rusher coming in for a visit so the Steelers front office and/or coaching staff can learn a little bit about him isn't a good theory. It's reasonable to believe that the team wants to make sure he is healthy and okay with not being a consistent starter. No one should be surprised if Dupree returns to the Steel City soon.
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