Getty T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree of the celebrate on the field.
The Bud Dupree Watch has come to a bitter end, as the former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Zach Klein of ABC-TV affiliate WSB in Atlanta was the first to report the news via Twitter on April 14.
Per NFL source … outside linebacker Bud Dupree has agreed to terms on a 1 year deal with the Atlanta Falcons
The rumors of a Steelers-Dupree reunion have been the most talked-about speculation this offseason. It picked up intensity after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on March 24 that the Steelers were bringing him in. While the hope was that the March visit was just a formality, Steelers Nation’s bubble burst when he walked away without a contract.
Terms of the contract with the Falcons have not been disclosed.
There’s a question of how Dupree will fit in with an Atlanta team that doesn’t utilize outside linebackers in their defensive scheme. They also spent two picks on the position in the 2022 NFL draft.
What Happened Between Bud Dupree and the Steelers?
Now the question becomes: What happened between Bud Dupree and the Steelers? There was, at one point, clear interest between both parties. As Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported on the day of Dupree’s visit, contract details were not discussed. If it wasn’t a money thing, did they not see what they’d hoped out of the medical portion?
Bud Dupree had physical and met with Steelers, but no contract details were discussed — yet. Dupree would be a backup to 90 and 56, if a deal is reached.
It seemed that it was a rematch made in heaven. Dupree knew Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh knew Dupree. And the defense desperately needs a starting-capable third outside linebacker. Perhaps that’s what the issue was — T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are entrenched as the starting duo for the resurgent defense. While he would’ve served an important role, Dupree would not be the guy. Whether he would be willing to take a backseat to the action was one of the hurdles that would’ve needed clearing for things to work out — the Steelers didn’t need another Melvin Ingram on their hands.
Steelers Still Need an Outside Linebacker
While not as pressing as secondary or offensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers do need an outside linebacker — a fact that came painfully clear in 2022. Unfortunately, injuries are an inevitable part of football, and the team suffered without star pass-rusher T.J. Watt. He sustained a pectoral injury in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and was sidelined for seven games.
In that span, Pittsburgh suffered a 1-6 record. Per Steelers.com, the defense allowed 25.3 points and 389.9 yards per game without the then-reigning Defensive Player of the Year. They had 8.0 sacks and five takeaways in those seven games. Watt’s return brought a spark back to not only the defense but the team as a whole. With Watt, they went 8-2, allowing 16.9 points and 289.9 yards per game while recording 32 sacks and 18 takeaways.
As the saying goes: There’s no i in team. And Watt would never toot his own horn. But the truth remains — the defense suffers without his presence and Hall of Fame-caliber talent. Highsmith showed his chops in Watt’s absence, but he’s only one person. Not surprisingly, reserves Malik Reed and Jamir Jones (released on April 13) couldn’t come close to replicating how dominant the pass rush is with Watt in the game. This further proves that the Steelers ideally need an experienced player willing to play that rotational role but can confidently produce as No. 1 or 2 in dire situations.
Will the Steelers find their unicorn before the start of the 2023 season, or will they be forced to roll the dice on an inexperienced late-round youngster in the draft? It’s beginning to look like the latter.