PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited two of their former players to participate in their 2025 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), sources told ESPN on May 20, 2025. The team began OTAs on May 19 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, aiming to bolster their defensive line depth.
Tyson Alualu and Bud Dupree, who both previously played for the Steelers, bring a combined 20 seasons of NFL experience. The move comes after the team lost Larry Ogunjobi to the Bills in free agency, creating a need for veteran presence alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton, per The Athletic.Alualu, a 37-year-old defensive lineman, played six seasons with the Steelers from 2017 to 2022, recording 104 tackles and 5 sacks in 90 games.
A 2010 first-round pick by the Jaguars, Alualu appeared in 5 games with the Washington Commanders in 2024. “I’d love to finish my journey where I thrived,” Alualu told NFL Network, reflecting his desire to return to Pittsburgh.
Dupree, a 2015 first-round pick (No. 22 overall), played five seasons with Pittsburgh, notching 19.5 sacks. Now 32, Dupree recorded 4 sacks with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. “I WANT TO FINISH MY CAREER WITH THE STEELERS, THE TEAM THAT MADE ME AN NFL STAR AND OWNS MY LOYALTY,” he shared on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this year.
The Steelers’ defense, led by T.J. Watt (11.5 sacks in 2024) and Heyward (7.5 sacks), remains elite but lacks depth. Alualu’s run-stopping ability and Dupree’s pass-rushing prowess could complement Benton and rookie Derrick Harmon in Teryl Austin’s 3-4 scheme, per Steelers Depot.Both players face challenges. Alualu, coming off a limited role with the Commanders, must prove he can still anchor the line, while Dupree needs to show consistency after injury-plagued years with the Titans and Falcons.
OTAs offer a low-risk chance to evaluate their fit, per NFL.com.Fans on X are buzzing, with @Blitz_Burgh posting, “Alualu and Dupree back? Defense just got tougher!” The team, which hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016 (a 4-13 loss to the Bills in 2024), could use the veteran presence, per CBS Pittsburgh.With a $32 million cap space, the Steelers have flexibility to sign both if OTAs go well.
As Mike Tomlin navigates a pivotal offseason, Alualu and Dupree’s potential comeback could spark a defensive resurgence in Pittsburgh.