The Tennessee Titans are reportedly set to release outside linebacker Bud Dupree, which will free up some much-needed cap space in 2023.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Titans are expected to release the 30-year-old pass-rusher, who was set to account for a massive cap hit of $20.2 million in 2023.
Parting ways with Dupree, who signed a huge five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2021, will save Tennessee $9.35 million against the salary cap, while also incurring a dead-cap hit of $10.85 million if it’s pre-June 1.
However, Tennessee also has the option to cut him with a post-June 1 tag, which would save $15.75 million and decrease the dead-cap hit to $4.45 million.
The down side there is Tennessee wouldn’t be able to use that money until June, which is a big issue if Titans general manager Ran Carthon plans on retooling and not rebuilding.
It has been quite the roller coaster on the Dupree front in recent days. While the expectation has been Tennessee would part ways with him, ESPN’s Turron Davenport recently stated it was “very possible” he’d stay.
The #Titans are expected to release pass-rusher Bud Dupree, sources say, the former big-ticket FA signing who was due $17M this season. More player turnover to reallocate resources, as another veteran pass-rusher hits the market.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023
After signing his big deal in 2021, Dupree has proven to be a difference-maker when healthy but has been riddled with injury issues, leading to Dupree missing 12 games (and exiting others early) in two years.
While cutting Dupree is certainly understandable, it does leave the Titans in a tough spot at outside linebacker, as Harold Landry and Rashad Weaver are the only notable players left at the position, and both are question marks.
Landry is coming off a torn ACL and may not be himself in his first year back, and the jury is still out on Weaver as a starter. Those are the reasons why I gave credence to the idea that the Titans might keep Dupree.
It’s a bit surprising the Titans couldn’t find a trade partner for Dupree before releasing him. After all, the acquiring team would only have to pay the $9.35 million, which isn’t a bad price for the veteran defender.
Whatever the case may be, the Titans addressing the outside linebacker position this offseason has now become a bigger priority.
