Pittsburgh Steelers are confident that the best football is still ahead of linebacker Bud Dupree, deciding to pick up the fifth-year option on his contract, which will see the 25-year-old stay with the time throughout the 2019 season. Steelers notified Dupree about their decision on Monday and confirmed it via their official Twitter account. His fifth-year option carries $9.232 million hit on the salary cap. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the deal is guaranteed for injury.
We have exercised LB Bud Dupree’s fifth-year option from his rookie contract.
MORE: https://t.co/XlKg6E9Bxs pic.twitter.com/ImpbSvchhx
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 23, 2018
Bud Dupree signed a four-year rookie contract worth $11.22 million in 2015 after the Steelers took him with the 22nd overall pick. In the past three years, the player didn’t meet the expectations, since he often struggled with injuries. He managed 14.5 sacks combined in the previous three years, but never managed to get 6.0 or more in a single season. Dupree also had 90 total tackles and one forced fumble during his time in professional football.
Despite ups and downs in Dupree’s progress as a player, the Steelers are convinced that he has tremendous potential.
“I think Bud is just scratching the surface on what he can be,” – said Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert recently. “Playing another season with T.J. [Watt] and T.J. playing with Bud, I think those two will help each other grow as this thing continues to unfold.“
