Should the Steelers use the franchise tag on Bud Dupree?

In just a few short weeks, the new NFL league year will begin and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be faced with their first significant decision of the offseason. What to do with outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Dupree is coming off the best season of his career and looking to cash in.

The question of the Steelers front office is a financial one. Pittsburgh has very little in terms of cap space. According to Over the Cap, the Steelers have just over $1.4 million heading into the offseason.

Having said that, the salary cap gurus for the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to always find a way to fit a player or two in who you might not think would. One tool for this is the franchise tag. Dupree is the only free agent the Steelers have who might be worth using the tag on. But should they?

Personally, after the debacle with Le’Veon Bell and the franchise tag, I’d feel better if the Steelers just let Dupree walk. I don’t want to see another holdout and the team be on hold because of a player.