The Pittsburgh Steelers have told linebacker Bud Dupree that they will not use the franchise brand on it, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Dupree, which was franchised by Steelers last year, will now go to the free agency.
After hitting his pace with 11.5 sacks for Pittsburgh during the 2019 season, Dupree, who turned 28 in February, was on track for another strong season in 2020 before suffering a break at ACL in week 12 against Baltimore Ravens.
He told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in early March that he plans to attend an NFL training camp based on positive feedback from his doctors.
Playing on the franchise’s mark after the two sides failed to reach a long-term deal, Dupree had 8 sacks, 31 combined tackles, 8 defeat tackles and 15 defender hits last season.
The 2019 season marked its healthiest season since the Steelers left Kentucky in the first round of the 2015 draft. Forming a strong tandem with TJ Watt, Dupree recorded 17 quarterback strokes and had 16 loss tackles.
Dupree was not only a key player in the Steelers’ robust defense, but he was also a glue guy, uniting the locker room with his optimistic attitude and personality. He ended his career at Steelers with 66 games, 39.5 sacks, 169 solo tackles, 54 tackles for defeat, a return interception for a touchdown and 65 quarterback strikes.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.