Will ex-Steelers EDGE Bud Dupree reunite with Arthur Smith for a third time?

Yes, we know. Arthur Smith coordinates the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, not defense. But in this ever-nauseating pure speculation period, why not talk about Bud Dupree?

After he left Pittsburgh, Dupree signed with the Tennessee Titans, appearing in 22 games (17 starts) over two seasons. He averaged 58 percent of snaps and logged seven sacks, 35 tackles (eight for loss), 17 QB hits, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles.

Smith thought enough of Dupree to bring him to Atlanta in 2023, where he nearly outdid his Titans career in six fewer games (16), contributing 6.5 sacks, 39 tackles (22 for loss), eight quarterback hits, three defended passes and two forced fumbles.

Dupree, who made $3 million in his one-year stint with the Falcons, is set to hit free agency in two weeks. With Markus Golden‘s status with the Steelers undetermined, depth beyond T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith is second-year defender Nick Herbig and newly-signed Jeremiah Moon.

Pittsburgh doesn’t always recall players, but Dupree is cheap and, despite having just turned 31, still has gas left in the tank.