UPDATE (20:35): Ian Rapoport confirmed the news. Dupree signed with the Tennessee Titans. The terms of the agreement were not immediately known.
THE #Titans are in fact signing the old # Thieves pass-rusher Bud Dupree, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Another advantage of the market.
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
Rapoport says Dupree’s business is worth $ 16.5 million a season.
It is $ 16.5 million a year for Bud Dupree in a multiyear deal. https://t.co/vhpkZCf6nL
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2021
Rapoport said the deal lasts for five years and is worth up to $ 85 million. His $ 35 million is guaranteed. A mega-contract for Dupree.
Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported. The deal with Dupree is five years at $ 16.5 million per season, with a maximum of $ 85 million and a guaranteed $ 35 million, Rapoport added. # Thieves
– Steelers Depot 🧐 (@Steelersdepot) March 16, 2021
That amount of money is probably enough to give Steelers a choice of third round compensation for the 2022 draft. But this will also be based on Dupree’s playing time and the changes that Pittsburgh makes at the free agency. But given the tight limit situation, it is unlikely that anything the Steelers will do will cancel or decrease the compensation for Dupree.
Dupree has been among the most impactful pass brokers of the past two years, according to this tweet from @NextGenStats.
Bud Dupree has been among the most impactful pass rushers in the past two seasons, forcing 9 turnovers under pressure (T-2nd in NFL). https://t.co/p8ipBC2etZ pic.twitter.com/LphEMyPR64
– Next generation statistics (@NextGenStats) March 16, 2021
Our original story is below.
Could Tennessee be Bud Dupree’s next home? Reports by Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelisssero of the NFL Network suggest that the Titans are heavily in the mix. Here’s what they tweeted moments ago.
#Titans making a strong push for Bud Dupree, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Trying to close. Other teams are firmly in the mix. Stay tuned.
– Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2021
Jason La Canfora is reporting something similar, although he also mentions the Cleveland Browns as possible suitors. But all signs now point to the Titans.
Browns and Titans are closely linked to Bud Dupree. The expectation of many in the Steelers organization, where Dupree has spent his entire career, is that he will end up in Nashville
– Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 16, 2021
Dupree is arguably the best passer on the board after the first day of legal tampering at the free agency. Shaq Barrett remained in Tampa while Romeo Okware resurfaced in Detroit. Yannick Ngakoue struck a deal with the Raiders, leaving Dupree as one of the best remaining options.
Earlier on Monday, Ian Rapoport reported that, despite leaving a torn ACL, Dupree had a heated market. His contract could be similar to that of Barrett, who received $ 17 million a year from the Bucs, and could reach $ 18 million a season with incentives. In total, the deal amounts to US $ 72 million.
Tennessee is desperate for a quick pass. They had only 19 sacks as a defense in 2020, with only one player having more than five. Hiring Dupree would instantly make him your best pass rusher, while also providing a defense against elite level racing. We will update it if the subscription becomes official. The Titans are unlikely to be the only team to sign him.