Should the Pittsburgh Steelers sign OLB Bud Dupree?

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran OLB Markus Golden to a one-year contract in late May last year. As we approach the middle of May, they seem once again interested in some veteran assistance. The Steelers have reportedly talked with a familiar face in Bud Dupree — and for the second straight year.

Many may not remember this, but the Steelers actually met with Dupree last year. They brought him into the facility for a free agency visit at the end of March, but he did not sign. In fact, he remained unsigned for nearly another month, eventually signing with the Falcons.

There, of course, he played under Arthur Smith as head coach, who is now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator. But Dupree also played under Mike Tomlin with the Steelers and he’s still here, so it’s not like he needs a familiar face. He left in free agency in 2021, so there are still guys around. Cameron Heyward goes without saying, but there’s also T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and even Alex Highsmith.

If the Steelers were to re-sign Dupree this time around, he would be a backup to Watt and Highsmith. And he may be the secondary backup behind 2023 fourth-round pick Nick Herbig, who really flashed as a rookie in spite of limited playing time. One could see why the Steelers might want Herbig on the field more.

But they managed to play both Golden and Herbig last year even without significant injuries. They could play both Herbig and Dupree this year. It’s just good that they recognize the value of having at least two quality depth edge defenders.

I should note that Golden, who played well here last year, also remains unsigned. I advocated for the Steelers bringing him back already, but Dupree is likely a very comparable move. He managed 6.5 sacks last season for the Falcons, albeit with a big body of work at 724 snaps. It was his most productive and healthiest season since leaving the Steelers.

The Steelers’ 2023 season has been put out of its misery, ending as so many have before in recent years: a disappointing, blowout playoff loss. The only change-up lately is when they miss the playoffs altogether. But with the Buffalo Bills stamping them out in the Wildcard Round, they have another long offseason ahead.

The biggest question hanging over the team is the quarterback question. Does Russell Wilson make them a Super Bowl-caliber team, or are they wasting a year? Will he play just one season in Pittsburgh before moving on, or the Steelers moving on from him? How will the team address the depth chart?

The Steelers are past free agency and the draft and their roster for the 2024 season is coming into focus. They made numerous moves through signings and trade—and release. More than usual, they seemed comfortable creating holes, confident they can fill them. Now that we have so many pieces of the puzzle, however, we merely have a new set of questions to ask.

The Chicago Cubs will look to bounce back from a tough offensive showing when they open a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs mustered just one hit — Yan Gomes’ comebacker in the third inning — and struck out 15 times in a 3-0 setback to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon.

Naturally, Chicago’s offense — or lack thereof — was the primary topic of conversation following the team’s seventh loss in the last 12 games. The Cubs are averaging 2.8 runs during that stretch.

“We’ve done a good job of scoring what we need to but haven’t put up a bunch of big numbers,” outfielder Ian Happ said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. “So, the pitching staff’s been great. They’ve been holding us together, and (the offense) will come around. We’re going to make some noise like we did earlier in the year, and that’s just a matter of time.”

Happ hopes so, as he is batting just .225 while shortstop Dansby Swanson is hitting .209 to start the season. Swanson sat out Wednesday’s game due a nagging right knee injury.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell isn’t getting too worked up about his offense, which is batting .233 as a team.

“This is a baseball season,” Counsell said. “You’re going to face some guys that are pretty good. We faced a guy that was pretty good (on Wednesday in Dylan Cease). That’s part of what a season entails.”

They’re expected to face a promising rookie on Friday when Pittsburgh’s Jared Jones (2-3, 2.63 ERA) takes the mound against fellow right-hander Jameson Taillon (3-0, 1.13).

Jones, 22, allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters in seven innings in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. He relies on an overpowering fastball that can reach triple digits as well as a slider and changeup.

“I’m just going out there and doing me,” Jones said. “I’m sure I’ve had some spurts in my career where I’ve pitched just like this.”

Jones has yet to face the Cubs in his young career.

Pittsburgh, which is just 6-16 in its last 22 games, will try its luck against a familiar face in Taillon.

Taillon was selected by the Pirates with the second overall pick of the 2010 MLB draft. He is 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA in two career starts against Pittsburgh.

Taillon scattered two hits over six scoreless innings in a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Oneil Cruz recorded a bases-clearing double among his two hits in the Pirates‘ 5-4 setback to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He is 7-for-22 with two homers, seven RBIs and three runs during six games this month.

“He’s a talented kid and I think we’re seeing that over the last five, six, seven days,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said.

Connor Joe added an RBI single to cap a four-run fifth inning for Pittsburgh. He is 6-for-18 with an RBI and two runs in his last five games.

—Field Level Media