Dupree: His injury left Steelers 'out to dry'

Bud Dupree still looks back at what could have been with the Steelers in 2020.

He said as much on his Thursday morning appearance on the JMart and Ramon Show on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, Tn., hosted by Jason Martin and DKPittsburghSports' Ramon Foster. 

Sitting at 10-0, the Steelers were in command of the top seed in the AFC and looked unstoppable with one of the best defenses in the NFL up against a Ravens team decimated by COVID-19 at Heinz Field. That's when Dupree tore his ACL, and then it would all go downhill from there. 

The Steelers won that game, but then lost 5 of their next 6 games, including a first round exit from the playoffs.

"The main thing I was mad about was the run we were on," Dupree said about his injury. "And me not being able to be on the field with my teammates. I was the most mad about that, man. I felt like I let a couple people out to dry. I was down bad for two days."

Dupree finished the season with eight sacks and two forced fumbles in just eleven games. He was on pace for his second consecutive season with double-digit sacks after finishing with 11.5 in 2019. It was twice as frustrating for him because on a personal level, he knew how big the year was for him playing on the franchise tag for a second consecutive season.

"Man, this process has been humbling," Dupree said. "The first two days tore me down because I tore my ACL on a contract year while on the franchise tag. I wondered if I would be devalued and if people would forget about me. Guys like Shaquil Barrett were making plays in the playoffs. I felt like I was a top edge rusher in free agency and then seeing guys getting a chance to play more games, I was mad."

What helped snap Dupree out of it were conversations with his agent and Mike Tomlin. That got his focus back to get to work and prepare for a long rehab process.

"We all got together and it helped me realize everything would be alright," Dupree said. "I trusted God, my plan and my work ethic. Now I'm back and I'll be ready for the season. Rehab was just small victories every week. I keep seeing progress in my ACL with bending, flexing, running, jumping, and it's exciting. It's always something new that excites me."

That process certainly paid off for Dupree in the form of a huge contract with the Titans, who agreed to sign him to a five-year contract for $85.5 million, including $35 million guaranteed. That's right in line with Barrett who, after winning a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, signed a four-year contract for $72 million, $36 million of which is guaranteed.

"I say watch, I'm going to be better," Dupree said. "I've been learning about my body, focusing on small muscles. I also separated myself by coming to Arizona for rehab. That also shows how much I'm willing to sacrifice for my kids, my family and everybody to go to the other side of the country just to focus on rehab ... I'm ready to run after the ball and hit. I want people to know that you're not just going to pay me and I'll chill. I'm going to turn it up to another level. I'll bring a real effort to the team. That's what I'll do as a Tennessee Titan."

But interestingly, Dupree admitted that Foster played a bit of a role in getting him to Tennessee. After Dupree was injured, it was a foregone conclusion that it was his last game with the Steelers. Then, Foster started dropping hints on his radio show that the Titans could use Dupree. They were teammates for six seasons and the Titans were in the middle of a 19-sack season that would be the third-fewest in the NFL.

"I was looking at him and I was saying, 'Bud fits what they need, man,'" Foster said before asking Dupree a question. "No knock on anybody else, but Bud and can attack the run and get to the quarterback. What was your mindset when you saw us saying that? Because we saw you liking some posts."

"During the season you were doing it but I didn't want to pay attention to it because I didn't want to be disrespectful (to the Steelers)," Dupree answered. "Soon as I figured out what was about to happen, I started liking it (on Twitter). So KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) pitched it too and commented on something Ramon said. I liked that comment to let people know I just want to play the game. I have no problem being in Tennessee. Then I guess it just came into existence." 

That sounds a lot like Foster to have that kind of influence on a teammate, as he was the Steelers' NFLPA representative and a leader in the locker room throughout the 2010s. When Martin asked Dupree to confirm Foster's influence on the situation, Dupree kept his answer simple:

"Big 'Mon man. His word always holds weight."

"Right before the negotiation started, (Foster) DM'd me asking what it would be," Dupree continued. "I thought, 'I really don't know yet, it's between a couple teams showing interest.' But I always liked Tennessee. My brother reminded me they were my favorite team growing up back in the days when Eddie George was there. Also being from Georgia and being close to it, it's definitely a blessing to play somewhere close to home. It's also close to Kentucky, you know, a school that beats Tennessee all the time."

Foster also pointed out that there was more than just the Titans' need for a true edge defender that made Dupree a good fit for the team.

"One thing I saw you pride yourself on was your work with with Cam (Heyward)," Foster said to Dupree. "You mention the teamwork and the mindset, and the guy I think you'll be playing beside is Jeffery Simmons. After the Steelers played the Titans the Steelers' offensive line was calling me and just saying '98! 98!' They just kept talking about 'Big Jeff' because he's a grinder and a guy who wants to go get it."

That's an accurate comparison, as Dupree and Heyward had played on the same side of the Steelers' defensive front for the last few seasons and developed fluid chemistry with each other. Heyward would overpower opponents, draw double teams work stunts while Dupree would exploit slower offensive tackles and open lanes with his explosive burst off the snap that's among the best in the NFL.

Simmons, the Titans first round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, has established an early reputation for being a disruptive interior presence. Dupree also revealed the two had already connected.

"I'm definitely ready to work with him," Dupree said of Simmons. "We actually trained last offseason together. We did pass rush stuff together and we've already talked about linking up this offseason. As soon as I'm cleared in May to go full steam, me and him will get back on the field and go full steam ahead and get our pass rush routine. I also want to get in the groove and see how they do things up there, fit in, plug my cord in and get to work."

Don't let Dupree's explaining away of a 'humbling' experience after his injury fool you, he's still very much the confident edge rusher who established his own swagger in Pittsburgh. And he's heard every bit of the naysayers who think the Titans may have overpaid for him as an edge defender.

"I hear people say what strengths and weaknesses for edge rushers," Dupree said. "But you turn on the tape and there's no other edge rusher who plays the run like me. I can't name one. Name one who attacks guards like me. When I see a guard pull I just want to fold them. When I was on the Steelers we did a great job installing a physical mindset in each other. Ramon knows the mindset and physicality we played with up there. So that plays a big role in my game."

It was a fun conversation between old teammates and friends. You can listen to the full segment here: