Since the 2021 season, it’s been the T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith Show on the edge of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.
But a familiar name popped up recently as a guy who would like to return to Pittsburgh: Bud Dupree. If the opportunity presented itself, the free agent would like to give Watt and Highsmith a helping hand.
“For sure,” Dupree said in an interview with Ron Lippock, author of “Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades.”
“If the opportunity came up. Definitely. It’s a great organization and Tomlin – he is who he is. The standard is the standard – for sure, I’d go back.”
There were rumblings of a potential reunion last offseason and the Steelers even brought him in for a visit. Instead, Dupree signed on with the Atlanta Falcons, coached then by Steelers new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
In his time away from Pittsburgh, Dupree has logged 13 sacks, 74 tackles (16 for loss), four defended passes, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 25 quarterback hits in 38 games (33 starts).
That sounds like a guy who’d be perfect to rotate in — something we suggested last month. Of course, the Steelers have newcomer Jeremiah Moon and second-year player Nick Herbig, who are also ready to answer the bell.
