PITTSBURGH — Bud Dupree, a former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick, has expressed a heartfelt desire to return to the team that launched his NFL journey, sources told ESPN on May 19, 2025. The veteran edge rusher, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, hopes to finish his career in the Steel City.
Dupree, who turned 32 in February, shared his aspirations on The Pat McAfee Show. “I WANT TO FINISH MY CAREER WITH THE STEELERS, THE TEAM THAT MADE ME AN NFL STAR AND OWNS MY LOYALTY,” he declared. The 2015 first-round pick (No. 22 overall) plans to play another 2-3 years before hanging up his cleats.
Drafted out of Kentucky, Dupree spent his first six seasons with the Steelers (2015-2020), amassing 19.5 sacks and 165 tackles across 81 games. His breakout year came in 2019 with 11.5 sacks, showcasing his potential as a dominant pass-rusher alongside T.J. Watt, per NFL.com.
After leaving Pittsburgh, Dupree signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 but struggled with injuries, managing just 7 sacks over two seasons. He joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, then the Chargers in 2024, where he recorded 4 sacks in the past season, per Spotrac.
The Steelers’ defensive line, featuring Watt, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and rookie Derrick Harmon, remains formidable, but depth is a concern after losing Larry Ogunjobi. Dupree’s familiarity with Teryl Austin’s 3-4 scheme and his veteran leadership could make him a valuable addition, per The Athletic.
Dupree’s return would also resonate emotionally with Steeler Nation. “Pittsburgh is where it all started for me,” he reflected. “I owe so much to this city and its fans.”
His tenure with the Steelers included a 2015 playoff run, though a severe ACL injury in 2020 cut his time short, per Steelers Depot.Fans on X are buzzing with excitement. @Blitz_Burgh posted, “Bring Dupree back! He’s still got it!” Ian Rapoport noted, “Dupree’s sentiment reflects a growing trend of veterans wanting to end where they began.” The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, falling to the Buffalo Bills (4-13) in 2024, per CBS Pittsburgh.
With a $32 million cap space, the Steelers could make a move for Dupree in 2026 or 2027. A homecoming could provide the defensive boost—and emotional lift—needed to end their playoff drought and cement Dupree’s legacy in Pittsburgh.