After a bit of a delay, the Tennessee Titans are doing what most expected them to this offseason, as the team is reportedly set to release outside linebacker, Bud Dupree.
Dupree inked a massive, five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2021 but never lived up to the contract.
While the Titans’ defense was noticeably better when he was on the field, the veteran defender wasn’t able to stay on it thanks to injuries that led to him missing 12 games, and he exited multiple others early over two seasons.
For their investment, the Titans got 35 tackles, seven sacks, 17 QB hits, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles in 22 games.
With the move to release Dupree, the Titans will save $9.35 million in 2023, but will also incur a dead-cap charge of $10.85 million if done before June 1.
There is potential for Tennessee to save more if the team designates him a post-June 1 cut, which would increase the savings to $15.75 million and decrease the dead-cap hit to $4.45 million.
However, the Titans would not be able to use that money until June and well after free agency has wrapped up. Of course, if Tennessee is in rebuild mode, waiting for that money becomes more reasonable.
After learning of his release, there was no shortage of Steelers fans interested in a reunion with the 30-year-old pass-rusher.
Looks like Bud Dupree tweeted and deleted real fast pic.twitter.com/57fsoDfWmQ
— Nick Suss (@nicksuss) March 6, 2023
— Steelers Wire (@TheSteelersWire) March 6, 2023
No question #Titans defense was better with Bud Dupree on the field.
Problem was he missed more games due to injury than than the number of sacks gained in his 2 years with the team.
Moving on makes the most sense
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) March 6, 2023
Bud Dupree is a good player when he is healthy.
But in the past 2 years, he only played 22 games with Titians.
I wouldn't even consider bringing him back if I were the Steelers.
— Jordan York🎙 (@JordanYorkMusic) March 6, 2023
In his last 27 games in Pittsburgh, the #Steelers got 19.5 sacks out of Bud Dupree for $25 million.
The #Titans got 7 sacks out of him in two years (22 games). And it cost them $34 million plus an $11 million dead cap hit this year.
Woof.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) March 6, 2023
Following Bud Dupree’s release, The #Titans’ are now expected to have anywhere from $139M-160M in available cap space for the 2024 season.
Plenty of cap room to extend Jeffery Simmons and make several significant splash moves over the next few seasons.
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 6, 2023
It’s ok @Bud_Dupree … welcome home! You’re absolutely going home! #HereWeGo https://t.co/iceTbECI1i pic.twitter.com/cwCmnIMLR3
— Steve Giglio (@stevegiglio) March 6, 2023
My first attempt at a jersey swap photoshop.
With the news of Bud Dupree being dropped releasing today… he seems like a great fit in this Steelers defense pic.twitter.com/kJRG9qaIdn— UncleDru (@TopNotchShot) March 6, 2023
That’s the main thing I have with it. Not just because he’s injury prone, how much is it gonna cost that’s the problem now if he is cheap and stays healthy then ya I’ll be happy but right now I don’t want him. #HereWeGo https://t.co/7nJHY04pZA
— Jared (@JaredEnglert4) March 6, 2023
Bring Bud Dupree home. #HereWeGo #Steelers
— DJ (@steelers_n6tion) March 6, 2023
@Bud_Dupree a Bud Gotta Buddy reboot time. Come back to Steelers, play with TJ & Alex. #triumverate
— Julie Galea (@Crazyish62) March 6, 2023
Still am unsure whether the bud Dupree move means we are going to announce an extension for Jeff or were just demolishing the front five and starting over and trading Jeff. Definitely don't think we trade Jeff and Derrick in the same off season a year after AJ
— JayGee (@JGspot0) March 6, 2023
Good riddance to @Bud_Dupree
— Moses (@Welt_All) March 6, 2023
Steelers final offer for bud Dupree 3 years $6.5 mil take it or gtfo https://t.co/fN5Ji8OqoJ
— steelers_convo (@steelers_convo) March 6, 2023
@steelers fan we all agree we are getting bud Dupree Jalen Ramsey and juju and Derek Henry correct.
— pensmansports (@Pensmansports) March 6, 2023
Bud Dupree coming back is the lock of the off season
— The Dwayne Train🚂 (@GuyroWasTaken) March 6, 2023
Bud Dupree might be coming back to the Steelers 💯 sign me up for that
— RSmith313 (@ryansmith1984) March 6, 2023
Am I the only @steelers fan who thinks @Bud_Dupree time in Tennessee could be a schematic thing and not him riding watts coat tails? I'd take him back 100/100 times.
— Thomas Sayre (@Tsayre88) March 6, 2023
I had to sit here for two full years and listen to people berate me and belittle me over Dupree.
All I did was tell y’all the truth and you HATED me for it.
I kept some receipts, there are plenty more I didn’t fire off.
Just keep that in mind going forward #Titans fans… https://t.co/BUgp4GATPr
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) March 6, 2023
