By: G.Stryker, Twitter @SNStryker and Instagram @SNStryker
SteelerNation.com
We have all seen the maturation of Bud Dupree over the past five seasons as a football player. Each year he has increased his tackles, quarterback hits, and playmaking. Dupree has been a polarizing player for Steeler Nation to debate over his career, but one thing is undeniable; he improved each year as a Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker.
Dupree is currently locked into his franchise tag since the date to renegotiate a long-term contract under the tag has passed. He played through his four-year rookie deal and his fifth-year opinion as a first round draft pick. One thing you may not know about Bud Dupree: he has a great sense of humor.
On the Steelers.com virtual press conference, Joe Rutter from the Tribune-Review asked, “Did you guys ever get close or do any negotiations on a long-term deal before the deadline passed?”
“The franchise tag is what I’m in now”, Bud continued, “We came close to a two-year $200 million dollar deal, but I was like Cam can get the money, so that’s fine with me!”
Dupree is obviously at peace with his current situation, even though he is currently awaiting the results of a franchise tag grievance which is trying to get him listed as a defensive end and earn $17.788M over his current tagged amount of $15.828M. Outside of the arguments for an edge player being listed as a defensive end or an outside linebacker, Dupree did show his support for teammate Cam Heyward, who the Steelers would love to keep for his entire playing career. The $200M over two-year contract Dupree “turned down” would have been for $100M a year, and obviously a joke, as he showed a wry smile showing off his dimples through a well manicured goatee when he answered the question.
Too often we forget that athletes in the NFL have personalities, but in this new world of virtual press conferences, it was great to see Bud Dupree’s jovial sense of humor shine through and add a memorable, fun response to a question we all know the answer to.
Hey #SteelerNation, what do you like best about Bud Dupree? Leave us a message below!
