Two weeks before the start of the free agency 2020 trading period, the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly decided not to allow one of their big names to enter the market, with ESPN’s report on Jenna Laine On Monday, the team is expected to use its franchise label on the impending free agent pass rusher Bud Dupree. It comes days later CBS Sports Jason La Canfora Identification Dupree, 27, is one of the veterans most likely to be tagged during the off-season, suggesting that Pittsburgh “would do everything reasonable” to keep the linebacker in 2020.
The news should be welcomed not only for fans of the Steelers, who saw the former first-round pick blossom with 11.5 bags in 2019, but also for team leaders like coach Mike Tomlin and owner. Art Rooney, both of whom called Dupree’s re-signing a priority for this off-season. In another light, the next tag also marks the last blow to the pool of pass rushers available in free agency. Although Dupree is not necessarily a household name for this position, he has just completed a career high in bags and would have gone online for a potentially lucrative payday as one of the 10 best unsigned edge rushers.
Yannick Ngakoue, future free agent, the consensus high free agent goes rusher, East should be labeled by the Jacksonville Jaguars despite an open statement that he intends to play elsewhere in 2020.
Drafted 22nd in 2015, Dupree did not exactly meet the expectations of the 2019 campaign, establishing itself as a solid mid-range beginner rather than an elite presence during its first four years. In front of T.J. Watt under his fifth year option, however, the Kentucky product not only racked up the sacks, but finished with 68 career tackles and four fumbles.
