It appears that Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Bud Dupree will be in yellow and black for at least one more season. Per Jenna Laine of ESPN, the Steelers are likely to place the franchise tag on the 27-year-old pass rusher.
Each team may franchise tag one player per season which puts a player that is entering free agency on a one-year deal worth roughly the average of the top five highest-paid players at that player's respective position.
At the expense of long-term financial security for Dupree, the Steelers tagging the former Kentucky star allows the team to have more time to work on a multi-year deal in the future.
The NFL's deadline in 2020 for teams and tagged players to agree upon and sign a multi-year extension is July 15. Yet over the last five years, roughly half of the franchise-tagged players have received such deals.
Since drafting him in the first round in 2015, Dupree has been a consistent impact player for the Pittsburgh defense. After serving as a full-time starter at outside linebacker for the past two seasons, Dupree truly came into his own in 2019.
For a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.9), Dupree recorded 68 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, and 11.5 sacks — all career highs. Dupree also contributed with four forced fumbles, three passes defended and two fumble recoveries opposite All-Pro T.J. Watt.
Per Laine, Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott, Washington Redskins offensive lineman Brandon Scherff and Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass-rusher Shaq Barrett are all likely to be franchise tagged as well, among others.
Follow Us
Subscribe