After a bit of a delay, the Tennessee Titans are doing what most expected them to this offseason, as the team is reportedly set to release outside linebacker, Bud Dupree.
Dupree inked a massive, five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2021 but never lived up to the contract.
While the Titans’ defense was noticeably better when he was on the field, the veteran defender wasn’t able to stay on it thanks to injuries that led to him missing 12 games, and he exited multiple others early over two seasons.
For their investment, the Titans got 35 tackles, seven sacks, 17 QB hits, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and two recovered fumbles in 22 games.
With the move to release Dupree, the Titans will save $9.35 million in 2023, but will also incur a dead-cap charge of $10.85 million if done before June 1.
There is potential for Tennessee to save more if the team designates him a post-June 1 cut, which would increase the savings to $15.75 million and decrease the dead-cap hit to $4.45 million.
However, the Titans would not be able to use that money until June and well after free agency has wrapped up. Of course, if Tennessee is in rebuild mode, waiting for that money becomes more reasonable.
After learning of his release, there was no shortage of Steelers fans interested in a reunion with the 30-year-old pass-rusher.