The Pittsburgh Steelers have informed defender Bud Dupree that they will not use the franchise label on him, a league source told Adam Schefter.
Dupree, who was franchised by the Steelers last year, will now head to the free agency.
After hitting 11.5 sacks in Pittsburgh during the 2019 season, Dupree, who turned 28 in February, put another strong season on track in 2020 before suffering a broken ACL in Week 12 against the Baltimore Ravens. .
He told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in early March that he plans to be a full participant in an NFL training camp based on positive feedback from his doctors.
Playing on the franchise label after the two sides were unable to reach a long-term deal, Dupree had 8 sacks, 31 combined attacks, 8 defeats and 15 quarterback hits last season.
The 2019 season marked her healthiest season since the Steelers pulled her out of Kentucky in the first round of the 2015 draft. Forming a fierce tandem with TJ Watt, Dupree recorded 17 quarterback hits and had 16 bouts to lose. .
Dupree was not only a key piece for the Steelers ’strong defense, but he was also a kind of glue, who united the locker rooms with his upbeat attitude and personality. He finished his Steelers career with 66 starts, 39.5 sacks, 169 solo attacks, 54 loss attacks, an interception return for a touchdown and 65 quarterback hits.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.