2019 is proving to be the breakout season we’ve all been waiting for from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree. Through eight games Dupree has already matched his career-high in sacks with six and is finally looking like the player Pittsburgh wanted when they selected him in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. But why the sudden burst in productivity? Here are three potential reasons why.
Contract
Let’s not kid ourselves. Dupree wants to get paid and the best way to do it is to play huge this season. Pittsburgh chose not to negotiate a new deal with Dupree at the start of the season and their franchise policy is to not negotiate during the season. So Dupree is having a career year in part because he knows he is going to hit free agency looking for a huge payday.
No Joey Porter
Perhaps the most underrated move of the Steelers offseason was to not bring outside linebackers coach Joey Porter back. He might be one of the best pass rushers in franchise history but he stunk as a coach. It was tough to watch guys like Dupree and Jarvis Jones struggle knowing they were getting no coaching.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
I picked Fitzpatrick here because his impact has been so great since coming to the Steelers but big picture the impact of improved secondary play including Fitzpatrick and cornerback Steven Nelson has helped all the front seven including Dupree thrive.
