BREAKING: Falcons Sign Ex Titans, Steelers Star Bud Dupree
The Atlanta Falcons' busy offseason continues ... with a big splash made on the defense once again.
According to WSB-Atlanta, the Falcons have agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with linebacker Bud Dupree.
Per ESPN, Dupree "heavily" considered reuniting with the Pittsburgh Steelers - but preferred the one-year deal that Atlanta provided.
A native of Macon, Ga., Dupree starred at the University of Kentucky before being selected No. 22 overall by the Steelers in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Dupree, 30, developed into a standout player for the Steelers, starting 57 of his final 58 games; he recorded 19.5 sacks across his final two seasons (2019-2020).
The following offseason, Dupree signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Tennessee Titans but struggled to find the same level of productivity, recording seven sacks and eight tackles for loss in 22 games (17 starts).
The 6-4, 269-pound Dupree logged 18 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits across 11 games, all starts, in 2022.
Now, Dupree joins a Falcons pass rush that has just 39 sacks over the past two years, which ranks last in the league by a considerable margin.
Atlanta's added to its defensive front around Grady Jarrett in a big way this offseason, signing defensive tackle David Onyemata, defensive end Calais Campbell and linebacker Kaden Elliss, who had seven sacks in a versatile role last year.
With Dupree now in the fold, the Falcons have a chance to take a big step forward rushing the passer - which could lead to much improved results across the board.
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