One of the big questions surrounding the Steelers this offseason is what's going to happen with Bud Dupree?
The outside linebacker played last season on the franchise tag, making $15.8 million. But he's now scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent again this offseason.
He's also coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 11 that cost him the final five games of the 2020 season.
In an appearance on the NFL Network's Good Morning Football, Dupree said he's working hard to come back from the injury.
"I'm feeling great right now," Dupree said. "I'm ahead of schedule in rehab. It's a great thing as always, it's a blessing. I'm on track. And I'm going to be ready for camp. It's a blessing to take the small things from a big injury like there was, and just know that I'm still able to perform next season."
The 27-year-old will be in high demand as a free agent. Despite missing the final five games of the 2020 season, his 19.5 sacks the past two seasons rank fifth in the NFL, with teammate T.J. Watt being one of the handful of players ahead of him. And the Steelers went 1-5 without Dupree, including their playoff loss.
Placing the franchise tag on Dupree a second time would cost the Steelers $17.6 million. However, assuming he signs a big deal as a free agent, the Steelers could recoup as high as a third-round compensatory pick for him in 2022.
The Steelers, however, are up against the salary cap in 2021 and are unlikely to be able to afford the price tag on a premium pass rusher. They did select Alex Highsmith, however, in the third round of the draft last year to prepare for the potential loss of Dupree, a first-round pick in 2015.