Report: Pittsburgh Steelers have 'preliminary interest' in bringing back Bud Dupree

A homecoming could be in the cards for Bud Dupree.

According to NFL report Josina Anderson, the former Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans pass rusher could be on his way to a reunion with the franchise who drafted him, as the Steelers have “preliminary interest” in signing Dupree if he’s healthy.

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I’m told the #Steelers have preliminary interest in bringing back Edge Rusher Bud Dupree if they deem “he’s healthy,” a source said. Dupree’s name has definitely come up in Pitt. We’ll see if they end up together once he sorts out his market following his release from Tennessee.

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2023

“I’m told the #Steelers have preliminary interest in bringing back Edge Rusher Bud Dupree if they deem ‘he’s healthy,’ a source said,” tweeted Anderson. “Dupree’s name has definitely come up in Pitt. We’ll see if they end up together once he sorts out his market following his release from Tennessee.”

During his NFL career, Dupree has posted 266 tackles and 46.5 sacks. He has also collected four fumble recoveries off 10 forced fumbles as well as an interception. During the last two seasons with Tennessee however, he produced just 35 tackles and two fumbles recoveries, playing in just 22 games and starting 17.

A potential return to Pittsburgh could be enticing for both the Steelers and Bud Dupree. It’ll be something to keep an eye on moving forward in free agency.

More on Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Free Agency

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make major moves with the defense this offseason. Those moves now include the release of leading tackler Myles Jack, according to Adam Schefter.

Jack, who signed with Pittsburgh last offseason on a two-year deal worth $16 million, had a cap hit of $11.25 million for the 2023 season. His contract included a potential out this offseason, which includes a $3.25 million dead cap hit.

Myles Jack, a UCLA alum, was a second-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played six seasons for the Jaguars before moving to Pittsburgh and leading the Steelers with a 104-tackle season in 2022.

Prior to Jack’s release news breaking, former Miami Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts shared that he is signing a two-year deal with the Steelers.

The Roberts addition will help the Steelers defense greatly in their rebuild. They lost fourth-leading tackler Robert Spillane to a $9 million deal with the Raiders this week. Meanwhile, free agent Devin Bush is reportedly visiting the Seahawks on Thursday.

Pittsburgh also added former Washington linebacker Cole Holcomb this week. In seven games last year for the Commanders, he racked up 69 total tackles and one pass deflection. On Dec. 5, 2022, he underwent foot surgery and had to miss the remainder of the 2022 campaign.