Bud Dupree's Newfound Success, and His Future in Pittsburgh

Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree has been the topic of heavy criticism since his arrival in 2015. However, his play in 2019 has many talking about his future in Pittsburgh.

“I try not to think about that all the time, but you’ve got to have it on your mind, so I try to play with my hair on fire. I’m just trying to be the best I can.”

These were the words of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree following the team's 26-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, a crucial win that leveled the Steelers at an even 4-4 record, and brought back life in Pittsburgh's potential playoff push. Dupree was asked about his production in a contract year, a heavy topic surrounding the Kentucky product. 

You'll be hard-pressed to find a Dupree supporter in Pittsburgh's fan base, given the lack of production expected out out of a first round pick. Dupree's name has been dragged through the mud during his stay in Pittsburgh, often being compared to fellow outside linebacker/2013 first round pick Jarvis Jones, a player who failed to meet expectations set forth by the black and gold. 

Admittedly so, I haven't exactly held Dupree in the highest of lights, either. I've been extremely critical of Dupree's production and overall play on the field. In late April, I completed a film study of Dupree's 2018 season (which you can find here) and found a few reasons for hope entering 2019, yet I was doubtful Dupree would be able to play well enough to earn a second stint in Pittsburgh. 

I agreed with the majority that Dupree over-ran more plays than not. I agreed his pass-rush arsenal lacked diversity. I agreed he was probably out of a Steelers uniform after this season.

Bud didn't agree.

Fast-forward to present day, where Dupree is on pace for by far his most productive season in a Steelers uniform. Through eight games played, Dupree has accounted for 25 total tackles, six sacks, two passes defended and two forced fumbles. If Dupree's pace maintains, he'll hit new career highs in all of the above categories. 

"So many Steelers fans gave Bud so much crap, and I just watched a guy put his head down and fight through injuries" said Steelers linebacker Vince Williams after the game. "I’m just happy he’s finally starting to get the credit he deserves because the man has been a War-Daddy for a while."

As we have reached our halfway mark of games played, the focus now begins on the latter part of the season. Yet contract extensions are always in the back of players/fans minds like Dupree alluded to in the first paragraph of this story. After reaching an extension in early September with cornerback Joe Haden, talk of extending the contracts of fellow cornerback Mike Hilton and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave began circulating around the team. 

However the Steelers typically conduct business during the off-season, and it appears no other extensions will be handed out until the season comes to a close. That's the smart approach, as the team will get a full season's worth of play to determine the future of a select group of players. 

With Dupree projected to hit double-digit sacks for the first time in his career, some are expecting Dupree to hit free agency and seek big cash. How much will Bud want? That's yet to be determined, and likely not currently on his mind. It's probable to believe Pittsburgh will want to keep Dupree around, but only if the price is right. 

And thus begins the divide on signing Dupree long-term. Those for it will point to the fact that Dupree now has a solidified pass-rusher on the opposite side of the field, while also proving Dupree's potential as a player has yet to be hit. Those against signing Dupree say his year-to-year production hasn't been consistent enough to warrant a new deal, a deal that might cause the Steelers to open their wallets a little more than their liking. 

As far as financials go, Dupree's 2019 cap hit ($9.2 million) is the sixth-highest on the team, per Spotrac.com. The Steelers are currently projected to have $5.6 million in cap space in 2020, leaving little wiggle-room for the team to retain any players they wish. Much like every other position, market value for outside linebackers will help Dupree and his agent determine what he feels necessary for himself. 

His agent? Todd France from CAA (Creative Artist Agency). Per the NFLPA website, France has negotiated 64 contracts of current NFL players, and represents the likes of Aaron Donald, DeAndre Hopkins and Fletcher Cox. Forbes.com lists him as the tenth-best sports agent of 2019, as he's made nearly $45 million in commissions this season as of 9/21/19. 

Case in point, Dupree's in good hands when it comes to squeezing pennies into dollars. 

For what it's worth, Dupree and Carolina's Shaq Thompson are the only outside linebackers from the 2015 draft class who have yet to sign a second deal. The top earners from his class are Za'Darius Smith (4 year, $66 million) and Preston Smith (4 year, $52 million), as both signed their respective deals this past off-season. 

Za'Darius Smith's 2018 numbers (45 tackles, 8.5 sacks) align identically with Dupree's projected totals for this season, placing Bud in fairly good company when the time comes to negotiate. Preston Smith's numbers (50 tackles, 4 sacks) bode well for Dupree as well. If Bud wanted to meet in the middle ground between the two and average their yearly salaries out, Dupree would be making $14.75 million on an annual basis. 

For reference, out of the nine outside linebackers making more than $10 million or more annually in 2019, only Za'Darius+Preston Smith currently rank in the top ten for either sacks or total tackles. 

While tackles/sacks aren't the sole determining factor in deciding whether or not to pay a player, it is telling that the majority of production in both areas derives from either team-friendly deals or newly drafted pass-rushers. However, some teams have the cap space to afford a deal in terms of what Dupree may be sinking, as a veteran commodity is often times valued more than a fresh, cheaper face.

All of the above will be brought to the negotiating table when the time presents itself. It will be interesting to monitor how the Steelers maneuver the salary cap if they intend on keeping the likes of Dupree, Hilton and Hargrave among others (Artie Burns and Sean Davis could be gone after 2019 as well). 

Yet for the time being, Dupree is on a mission to finish a year in which he started off strongly. Not only is it in the Steelers' best interest for Dupree to set career-highs in 2019, it will also benefit Dupree for the next step in his career, regardless if it's in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.