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The Pittsburgh Steelers are making it clear that they are going to be doing everything they can to put the best team on the field this season and make a strong push to hoist another Lombardi Trophy next February. Between loading up on the offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as a completely revamped quarterback room, there is reason to believe the offense might finally step up this season to support the already stout defense.
With the Steelers loading up, they are doing so with a lot of new faces. Historically, the organization likes to bring back old faces and retain a lot of their talent from season to season. That method hasn't been working in recent years, so changing up that philosophy might not necessarily be a bad thing, but isn't what Steeler Nation is used to.
However, the Steelers do appear to be kicking the tires on one former first round pick that ended up leaving in free agency for a big pay day a few years back. That would be none other than 2015 first round pick, Bud Dupree, who spent his first six NFL seasons in Pittsburgh. Adam Schefter dropped that little nugget after announcing that Dupree left his visit with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Free-agent LB Bud Dupree concluded a visit with the Los Angeles Chargers, per source. Dupree also has been talking with the Falcons and Steelers, two of the three NFL teams for which he has played.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 9, 2024
Dupree being linked back to the Steelers after leaving the team in free agency in 2021 is interesting, as the outside linebacker position isn't one that is regularly brought up as an area where they need to add depth this offseason. Obviously, they have their two starters etched in stone with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, and they also have Nick Herbig penciled in as the number three, who has a lot of hype around him after making several splash plays in his rookie year last season. They also have Jeremiah Moon, who is expected to be a core special teamer.
Despite the decent depth, it is never a bad idea to have additional pass rushers on the roster, given the elite quarterbacks in the AFC. Dupree was viewed slightly as a bust previously during his time in Pittsburgh, as it took him a few years to really produce on the stat sheet the way many expected him too, given his first round billing. He did finish his Steelers career on a high note however, racking up 19.5 sacks in his last two seasons with the team.
Steelers Still Have Room To Improve Across The Roster
The Steelers are still being talked about as a potential landing spot for several names around the league when the possibility of them being available via trade is thrown around. While a lot of that talk is around veteran wide receivers, defensive linemen and cornerbacks are also being linked to the Steelers as they lack depth, and possibly even proven starters at those positions.
Should the Steelers make a move for another veteran to improve their roster, it'll continue the trend of the franchise doing what they need to do to compete for a championship this season.
More must-reads:
- Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
- Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
- The 'Super Bowl starting QBs' quiz
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