Tennessee Titans to Release Bud Dupree per Report from NFL Insider

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will be parting ways with Bud Dupree two years after signing him to a big contract per a report from Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network. Dupree signed a five-year, $82 million contract prior to the 2021 season.

The #Titans are expected to release pass-rusher Bud Dupree, sources say, the former big-ticket FA signing who was due $17M this season. More player turnover to reallocate resources, as another veteran pass-rusher hits the market.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2023

Dupre being released will save the Titans $9.35 million in cap space while leaving behind $10. 85 million in dead cap. This move comes in combination with the four releases we saw earlier this offseason from the Titans in a move to clear out as much salary cap space as possible. Dupree joins Taylor Lewan, Robert Woods, Zach Cunningham and Randy Bullock as veteran cuts.

Dupree never was able to live up to his contract during his time in Nashville. He struggled to stay on the field, appearing in only 22 games out of a possible 36 and leaving many games early as well. While the defense as a whole was better with Dupree on the field, his impact and injuries made it impossible to justify the $20 million cap hit Dupree was set to account for in 2023.

While the defense was more productive with Dupree on the field, his personal production didn’t justify the price tag either. Dupree only accounted for 35 tackles, seven sacks and eight tackles for loss in two seasons. That is simply not good enough for what Dupree was being paid. While Dupree is still a starting-level player, he is not the top tier edge rusher former Titans general manager Jon Robinson paid him to be.

The move to cut Dupree was expected, but there was some thought that Dupree may stick around after he was not a part of the initial four cuts the Titans made to kick off the changes. Also, new Titans general manager Ran Carthon made comments at the combine that had people uncertain of Dupree’s status. However, it looks like the comments were a formality and a salary cap quirk was the only reason for delay in the Dupree release.

With Dupree’s release, the Titans now have cleared around $20 million in cap space. A far cry away from the $23 million in the hole they were to start the offseason. The Titans may have saved money on the cap, but they also have created a large hole at the edge position. Star Harold Landry will be returning from an ACL tear prior to the 2022 season and third-year player Rashad Weaver will certainly be asked to step up, but the Titans will most likely need to add a quality edge in free agency or the NFL draft now as well.

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