Can only sign one - Bud or JuJu

[shellwagnerblount]

Would like to hear everyone’s take on this

For me it’s simple. Sign Bud.

JuJu is a nice receiver and good teammate. However he can be replaced more easily IMO.

Bud on the other hand is a more difficult piece to replace. He and Watt are a tandem we should try to maintain. Bud has been playing great football for a while...and watching yesterday’s game minus DJ and seeing JSS not making any impact on the stat sheet, for me this is an easy decision. (Maybe Browns were keying on JSS yesterday, so there’s that hidden impact on the stat sheet, I’m aware)

I’m not sure of the money aspect, but in combination w Watt’s next payday it’ll be an expensive pair of bookends.

So your choice is this:

Bud or JuJu.

Let’s hear it.

Bud of course. But at what price? He isn't TJ Watt.

AS for JuJu, let him walk. Nice guy, very good slot receiver but isn't this next draft even richer in receiver talent than last years? I kept hearing that, during and after the draft. I'd trust the Steelers to draft his replacement if that becomes necessary. WR"s are fungible like RB's, IMO. Plentiful and you can find gold in later rounds.

Nothing against JuJu BTW...he's a great guy etc. It's just business in the NFL circa 2020.No room for sentiment if you want to build winning teams. Belichick got that right at least.

[franco32]

In any exercise that includes signing Bud, we are losing key players at TE, OT, OG, CB, and potentially more. It simply isn't worth weakening the team that much in order to sign Bud. I've been one of Bud's biggest critics over the years because I never thought his mental side and technique caught up to his physical gifts. He's now rounding into a complete player and it's a shame it took this long. But, that's what happens when you have a late bloomer.

My #1 priority for Ben's next 2-3 years is keeping a strong OL. Pass rushers are critical in this day and age...I totally agree. However, #7 is the most critical player on that team and he needs protection. Losing AV, Feiler, Decastro etc is way too high a price to pay for keeping Bud.

We just have to hope Highsmith keeps shining because, so far, he's looked pretty good. Ola isn't shabby either.

[LakecrestSteeler]

In any exercise that includes signing Bud, we are losing key players at TE, OT, OG, CB, and potentially more. It simply isn't worth weakening the team that much in order to sign Bud. I've been one of Bud's biggest critics over the years because I never thought his mental side and technique caught up to his physical gifts. He's now rounding into a complete player and it's a shame it took this long. But, that's what happens when you have a late bloomer.

My #1 priority for Ben's next 2-3 years is keeping a strong OL. Pass rushers are critical in this day and age...I totally agree. However, #7 is the most critical player on that team and he needs protection. Losing AV, Feiler, Decastro etc is way too high a price to pay for keeping Bud.

We just have to hope Highsmith keeps shining because, so far, he's looked pretty good. Ola isn't shabby either.

Bud versus wilderness prevention...I chose wilderness prevention every day!

[Scunge]

Bravo, Franco, finally somebody points out that we have two young OLBs that show real potential as starters.

Here is the thing about Ola, he is a RFA next season. Guess who else is a Restricted Free Agent next year? Ray Ray McCloud.

So, next offseason it isn't just about signing all of the obvious free agents but also these under the radar players too.

This year we had to two players in Matt Feiler and Mike Hilton that had 2nd round tenders placed on them to the tune of $6.52 million combined ($3.26 million each).

Many people when they try and look at next years cap and what players they sign, they never drill down and go into the details.

Well, signing Ola and McCloud to 2nd round tenders will happen, to do otherwise means kissing them goodbye.

Count me in as one who thinks both Bud and JuJu are both gone next year. I don't see where the money is going to come from. I think the $175 million floor will be a reality and the Steelers are one of four teams that are over 200 million ($203 million). It gets worse than that.

That is $203 million for only 34 players. The Steelers 2021 draft class (8 players) is projected to count $7.5 million against the cap.

So, $210.5 million for 42 players. You are 11 players shy of 53, so fill out the bottom of the roster with players that count 600K against the cap, that adds another $6.5 million against the cap.

Congratulations, there is your 53 man roster for 2021 and the Steelers are sitting at $217 million, 42 million over the cap.


$42 million over the cap and the team hasn't signed any of their free agents or restricted free agents yet.

Big Al
Matt Feiler
JuJu
James Conner
Ray Ray McCloud (RFA)
Tyson Alualu
Chris Wormley
Ola Adeniyi (RFA)
Robert Spillane (ERFA)
Mike Hilton
Cam Sutton
Bud Dupree
Dustin Colquitt
Jordan Dangerfield
Marcus Allen
Sean Davis
Jerald Hawkins
Zach Banner
Derwin Gray
Josh Dobbs
J C Hassenauer
Deon Cain


Those are 22 players that were on the team in 2020, but in 2021 they are all free agents in some capacity.

As I said, to keep Ray Ray McCloud around for another year, that will cost you probably a 2nd round tender of some $3.3 million. Ditto for Ola.

So, now you sign those two players and you are $48 million over the cap!

The Steelers are not going to be able to sign any free agents until they meet the cap floor of $175 million first.

They will have to restructure and cut players in a big way just to meet that $175 million floor.

To make it really simple, the Steelers have to somehow cut/restructure $50-60 million from those 34 players under contract to have any hope of signing some of their free agents

Ben maybe signs a new extension and frees up $8-10 million.
Joe Haden cut frees up $12.6 million.
A restructure of Cam and Tuitt frees up a combined $11 million.
Cut McDonald and that only creates $5.2 million.

So, those 5 moves are made and you only freed up $39 million? But now you are down a starting CB and a TE.

But you still need to create more cap space but guess what, you have no other big contracts left on the team to restructure, that well has dried up. Sure you can go to Boz And Derek Watt but those two only create a combined $2 million, not worth the effort.

No, this is where is gets dicey, do you go to DeCastro and cut him? That would free up $8.75 million.
Do you got to Vince Williams and cut him? That would free up $4 million.

But even if you did all that, made those 7 moves that gets you under the $175 million floor to somewhere around $160 million for only 30 players under contract.

If you cut DeCastro then some things seem preordained to me, as in you MUST sign Matt Feiler. He is G/T capable as a starter. In my mind he is the most important signing along the O-line, taking precedence over even signing Big Al.

If you cut Williams, you probably think they are optimistic that Bush is able to make a full recovery but that also means they probably sign Robert Spillane to more than just a one year deal. Yes, they have Gilbert and probably add another draft pick at ILB.

I think they are forced to make a choice between Hilton and Sutton, with Sutton being the more realistic option to sign to a reasonable deal.

I think they are forced to let Bud Dupree walk. I can see him getting a deal around $80-85 million. Everyone keep throwing around what Smith got in Green Bay, that was 2019 people!!! The contracts get bigger and bigger every year. I can easily see a team giving Dupree a 5 year $85 million deal with a $20 million bonus and larger first year base salary that the Steelers won't be able to compete with.

Anyway,

My predictions:

On Defense:

Sign Sutton (who is the new nickel back, replacing Mike Hilton)
Sign Alualu
Sign Spillane (who along with Gilbert, assume the vacated Vince Williams ILB position)
Sign Wormley
2nd round tender on Ola (who along with Highsmith compete for Bud Dupree's OLB position)
High draft pick and Justin Layne compete for Joe Haden's empty starting CB position.

On offense:

Sign Matt Feiler ( He can play at a starter capable level at both guard and tackle)
2nd round tender on Ray Ray McCloud (we finally have a great PR/KR who can also make plays as a slot WR, the anti-Switzer)
Sign James Conner (yes, maybe crazy talk to some, but I think Conner will take a hometown discount)
Sign Banner ( I think the team loves him and he will be the RT in 2021, much cheaper to go with Banner and Chuks at RT/LT then sign Big

Then I see them signing a veteran blocking TE to replace McDonald
Chuks after proving his mettle this year at RT, will shift to LT (Marvell Smith-style) and replace Big Al.

They can do all of that and still have some money left as a cushion, not enough of a cushion to sign Dupree or JuJu.

[Jobu]

I like RayRay...ain’t no fucking way I’m paying him $3.3 Mil...

[LakecrestSteeler]

Bravo, Franco, finally somebody points out that we have two young OLBs that show real potential as starters.

Here is the thing about Ola, he is a RFA next season. Guess who else is a Restricted Free Agent next year? Ray Ray McCloud.

So, next offseason it isn't just about signing all of the obvious free agents but also these under the radar players too.

This year we had to two players in Matt Feiler and Mike Hilton that had 2nd round tenders placed on them to the tune of $6.52 million combined ($3.26 million each).

Many people when they try and look at next years cap and what players they sign, they never drill down and go into the details.

Well, signing Ola and McCloud to 2nd round tenders will happen, to do otherwise means kissing them goodbye.

Count me in as one who thinks both Bud and JuJu are both gone next year. I don't see where the money is going to come from. I think the $175 million floor will be a reality and the Steelers are one of four teams that are over 200 million ($203 million). It gets worse than that.

That is $203 million for only 34 players. The Steelers 2021 draft class (8 players) is projected to count $7.5 million against the cap.

So, $210.5 million for 42 players. You are 11 players shy of 53, so fill out the bottom of the roster with players that count 600K against the cap, that adds another $6.5 million against the cap.

Congratulations, there is your 53 man roster for 2021 and the Steelers are sitting at $217 million, 42 million over the cap.


$42 million over the cap and the team hasn't signed any of their free agents or restricted free agents yet.

Big Al
Matt Feiler
JuJu
James Conner
Ray Ray McCloud (RFA)
Tyson Alualu
Chris Wormley
Ola Adeniyi (RFA)
Robert Spillane (ERFA)
Mike Hilton
Cam Sutton
Bud Dupree
Dustin Colquitt
Jordan Dangerfield
Marcus Allen
Sean Davis
Jerald Hawkins
Zach Banner
Derwin Gray
Josh Dobbs
J C Hassenauer
Deon Cain


Those are 22 players that were on the team in 2020, but in 2021 they are all free agents in some capacity.

As I said, to keep Ray Ray McCloud around for another year, that will cost you probably a 2nd round tender of some $3.3 million. Ditto for Ola.

So, now you sign those two players and you are $48 million over the cap!

The Steelers are not going to be able to sign any free agents until they meet the cap floor of $175 million first.

They will have to restructure and cut players in a big way just to meet that $175 million floor.

To make it really simple, the Steelers have to somehow cut/restructure $50-60 million from those 34 players under contract to have any hope of signing some of their free agents

Ben maybe signs a new extension and frees up $8-10 million.
Joe Haden cut frees up $12.6 million.
A restructure of Cam and Tuitt frees up a combined $11 million.
Cut McDonald and that only creates $5.2 million.

So, those 5 moves are made and you only freed up $39 million? But now you are down a starting CB and a TE.

But you still need to create more cap space but guess what, you have no other big contracts left on the team to restructure, that well has dried up. Sure you can go to Boz And Derek Watt but those two only create a combined $2 million, not worth the effort.

No, this is where is gets dicey, do you go to DeCastro and cut him? That would free up $8.75 million.
Do you got to Vince Williams and cut him? That would free up $4 million.

But even if you did all that, made those 7 moves that gets you under the $175 million floor to somewhere around $160 million for only 30 players under contract.

If you cut DeCastro then some things seem preordained to me, as in you MUST sign Matt Feiler. He is G/T capable as a starter. In my mind he is the most important signing along the O-line, taking precedence over even signing Big Al.

If you cut Williams, you probably think they are optimistic that Bush is able to make a full recovery but that also means they probably sign Robert Spillane to more than just a one year deal. Yes, they have Gilbert and probably add another draft pick at ILB.

I think they are forced to make a choice between Hilton and Sutton, with Sutton being the more realistic option to sign to a reasonable deal.

I think they are forced to let Bud Dupree walk. I can see him getting a deal around $80-85 million. Everyone keep throwing around what Smith got in Green Bay, that was 2019 people!!! The contracts get bigger and bigger every year. I can easily see a team giving Dupree a 5 year $85 million deal with a $20 million bonus and larger first year base salary that the Steelers won't be able to compete with.

Anyway,

My predictions:

On Defense:

Sign Sutton (who is the new nickel back, replacing Mike Hilton)
Sign Alualu
Sign Spillane (who along with Gilbert, assume the vacated Vince Williams ILB position)
Sign Wormley
2nd round tender on Ola (who along with Highsmith compete for Bud Dupree's OLB position)
High draft pick and Justin Layne compete for Joe Haden's empty starting CB position.

On offense:

Sign Matt Feiler ( He can play at a starter capable level at both guard and tackle)
2nd round tender on Ray Ray McCloud (we finally have a great PR/KR who can also make plays as a slot WR, the anti-Switzer)
Sign James Conner (yes, maybe crazy talk to some, but I think Conner will take a hometown discount)
Sign Banner ( I think the team loves him and he will be the RT in 2021, much cheaper to go with Banner and Chuks at RT/LT then sign Big

Then I see them signing a veteran blocking TE to replace McDonald
Chuks after proving his mettle this year at RT, will shift to LT (Marvell Smith-style) and replace Big Al.

They can do all of that and still have some money left as a cushion, not enough of a cushion to sign Dupree or JuJu.

So what you are saying Scunge is the Steelers’ capologist will be earning their money next year!

Anyone think that JuJu is not cut from the same cloth as a lot of players? I could see him taking a discount....he seems to go to the beat of a different drummer.

[franco32]

Scunge..thanks for your great work of breaking that down.

Even if Bud or Juju offered us a hometown discount, I still don't think we could sign them at the current cap level. So, I agree they are likely lost. Interesting take on Conner. He's got some miles and injuries, so I don't see his market being a big one. I also think he could be retained for fairly cheap.

[Kodiak]

I keep saying, the annual cap is nothing more than an accounting exercise. The Steelers manage their cap over a 5-yr window, in total and not a series of 5 binary allocations. Colbert set it up that 2021 is when they decide who their core 8-9 guys are going forward. It really is that simple.

They can sign Bud, PLUS JuJu if they really want to. The only real debate is whether they see better overall team value elsewhere.

Right now PIT is probably $165M below the 2022 cap. They have maybe 2.5 guys (Tuitt, Heyward and Boswell) making premium money. With that kind of flexibility they aren't losing anyone because of "the cap" that they really want to retain.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I keep saying, the annual cap is nothing more than an accounting exercise. The Steelers manage their cap over a 5-yr window, in total and not a series of 5 binary allocations. Colbert set it up that 2021 is when they decide who their core 8-9 guys are going forward. It really is that simple.

They can sign Bud, PLUS JuJu if they really want to. The only real debate is whether they see better overall team value elsewhere.

Right now PIT is probably $165M below the 2022 cap. They have maybe 2.5 guys (Tuitt, Heyward and Boswell) making premium money. With that kind of flexibility they aren't losing anyone because of "the cap" that they really want to retain.

Exactly

[Pabst]

Well, signing Ola and McCloud to 2nd round tenders will happen, to do otherwise means kissing them goodbye.

As much as I like him, there is absolutely no way Ola gets a 2nd round tender. The guy has ZERO sacks in his NFL career.

By comparison, Chickillo had started 9 games and recorded 5.5 sacks by the end of his third season - he was given an original round (6th) tender.

With the upcoming cap crunch, i really can't see the Steelers allocating $6.5m in cap space to a return specialist and a backup OLB.

[Scunge]

I have no idea where you are getting your info Kodiak.

Using Spotrac and Over the Cap you can find out pretty quickly that there are only 17 current players on the team that will officially be under contract for 2022 and they represent $56 million for that 2022 season.

So, yeah, Ben who is not among those 17 players, say he signs an extension how much is his cap hit for 2022? $25 million? 30 million? More?

TJ Watt. Garrett had a first year cap hit of $10 million, Bosa had a first year cap hit of $15 million on their respective huge contracts. Watt will sign that new contract probably in 2022 and it will most likely be for an average of $30 million per season, 5 years, $150 million? Is it unrealistic to think that first year cap hit will be $15 million?

Minkah is not under contract for 2022. They can use the 5th year option on him which would seem to save some money and help give them another year to pay him in 2023. But, the safeties are getting paid and the 5th year option is based on the transition tag, average of the top 10 players, etc. It was $6.5 million this past season for a safety 5th year option, but in 2022? I count 12 safeties that now make between $10-15 million per season. Fitz may have a 5th year option of $10 million.

Those 17 players - $56 million cap hit
Ben - $30 million cap hit
Watt - $15 million cap hit
Fitz - $10 million cap hit

That is only 20 players and $111 million has been gobbled up. Paying a franchise QB like Ben, a premiere OLB in Watt and a premiere S in Fitz is almost unheard of and makes manipulating the cap more difficult.

Ben, Watt and Fitz will collectively probably average about $80 million per season, easily, that may be as much as 35-38% of your salary cap. I don't see how we will have the resources to be extravagant and pay Bud Dupree and JuJu when you have to pay for the new offensive line. Big Al, Pouncey and DeCastro are on their way out. Feiler, Okorafora and Banner will be paid, they are the future. Tuitt is still young, 27 and in 2022 will be in the last year of his contract, most likely they give him a new contract before the season begins.

[StillerInCT]

i think they will make a serious pitch to both

I think if Conner stays healthy and Ebron keeps making plays, the better question might be "Conner or JuJu?". And obviously Conner will be a lot cheaper, but $6-$8M for a RB still might not be a good use of cap.

JuJu over Conner all day. I like Conner and respect the hell out of him because of what he's been through in life but his availability ability is a serious negative in my book.

[bradshaw2ben]

In any exercise that includes signing Bud, we are losing key players at TE, OT, OG, CB, and potentially more. It simply isn't worth weakening the team that much in order to sign Bud. I've been one of Bud's biggest critics over the years because I never thought his mental side and technique caught up to his physical gifts. He's now rounding into a complete player and it's a shame it took this long. But, that's what happens when you have a late bloomer.

My #1 priority for Ben's next 2-3 years is keeping a strong OL. Pass rushers are critical in this day and age...I totally agree. However, #7 is the most critical player on that team and he needs protection. Losing AV, Feiler, Decastro etc is way too high a price to pay for keeping Bud.

We just have to hope Highsmith keeps shining because, so far, he's looked pretty good.

Highsmith has been where he's supposed to be and has some polish--but let's not mistake that for what Bud is doing. You say we'd have to have a drop off at TE, OT, OG, CB and more. I'd counter that the drop off from Bud to Highsmith/Ola is way more severe than Ebron to a rookie TE, AV to Chuks, Decastro/Feiler to Dotson, Nelson to Sutton. Think about what makes this defense elite: it's the 4 guys bringing it upfront. Take away some of that action and suddenly the holes begin to appear. And perhaps you forget hard frigging hard it is to draft and develop EDGE players, especially in a system where they don't just get to go upfield on every snap.

Watt is a fantastic player who should be retained forever and retire in black & gold. Here's how his numbers compare with Bud's since they swapped sides:
Bud: .............4 PD, 5 FF, 2 FR, 16.5 sacks, 58 solo, 25 ast, 20 TFL, 27 QB hits
TJ:... 3 INT, 10 PD, 8 FF, 4 FR, 19.0 sacks, 48 solo, 22 ast, 23 TFL, 49 QB hits

On one hand, there's no way Bud can argue for TJ money... his numbers aren't quite there and everyone knows TJ draws the lion's share of attention. On the other look at bud vs Mack & Joey Bosa:
Bud: ..4 PD, 5 FF, 2 FR, 16.5 sacks, 58 solo, 25 ast, 20 TFL, 27 QB hits
Mack: 5 PD, 5 FF, 2 FR, 13 sk, 51 solo, 17 ast, 14 TFL, 22 QB hits
Bosa: ..........1 FF, 15.5 sacks, 58 solo, 22 ast, 24 TFL, 41 QB hits

Perhaps Mack money isn't ridiculous, but it's also true that Mack draws the double team and so on.

I think pressure numbers when opposite an outlier pass rusher (and when next to dominant interior rushers) have to be taken with some discretion.

Bottom line: Bud is really good––too good to let walk if at all possible to keep him. But. He's in a nearly ideal situation right now. That sounds like a balanced negotiation at this point, especially with the cap having a temporary dip. Settle on a deal with TJ. Then offer Dupree a big deal that's backloaded, sounds good on paper, has some healthy guaranteed money, but features a small cap hit in 2021. Know that both sides will be looking to re-negotitate the deal in a year or 2. I think it's doable without downgrading very much elsewhere.

[Kodiak]

Think about what makes this defense elite: it's the 4 guys bringing it upfront. Take away some of that action and suddenly the holes begin to appear.

That should be the end of the debate. Playing good defense in today's NFL begins and ends with 4 guys that can dominate the point of attack. The only chance you have of stopping an elite passing team is dropping 7-8 into coverage - and that's not enough, either, most of those guys have to be decent at covering.

OL is really about cohesion and coaching. PIT seems to have a pretty deep bench there. WR and RB, especially with Ben, look like plug-n-play. And PIT has drafted well there, also.

Colbert has practically a clean slate after 2021. He's going to sink money into the defense and go youth movement on offense and see if we can't get another ring or two before Ben hangs it up.

I keep coming back to, let's call it 9 players: Ben, Heyward, Tuitt, Watt, Dupree, Minkah. That's 6 people I know I'm paying over the next 3-4 years. I'm not sure about the other 3. Maybe Bush. Claypool in 2023. DJ seems like a 1st round tender-type in 2022, then gets paid in 2023. Haden and Nelson are getting older, and maybe they factor in for a few years to get a ring.

There are a lot of quality role players that we aren't going to be able to keep playing. But the true difference makers - I think we know who they are and we'll be able to pay them.

[Ice]

We're likely going to have to figure out Haden's replacement in a year or two. That'll cost cap.

[stillthere]

https://youtu.be/jteX9NmXXf4?t=3644

At the 1 hour and 45 second mark they have an interesting take on Bud Dupree

Bringing up that they don't think he is that good of a pass rusher and why teams seem to give him such an easy run at the QB all the time or the fact that he gets Gildon sacks basically.

[Kodiak]

Bringing up that they don't think he is that good of a pass rusher and why teams seem to give him such an easy run at the QB all the time or the fact that he gets Gildon sacks basically.

There may be some truth to that, but I don't think you can take away from the fact he's been really good at setting the edge, too. And his motor has been non-stop, chasing down plays from behind.

He definitely is not in TJ's tier, but let's just figure out how to keep the duo together.

[SteelerDayTrader]

The fact is DuPree has produced big time along with Watt

They are the best duo in the NFL. They are a mismatch and mismatches are how you win in the NFL.

I think this D without Bud and TJ together would look pretty average. Imo he is a must sign

And. Again. Despite what the bedwet crew says the cap is in fact a very fungible number. PLENTY of accounting tricks to be had


Ben will stick around as long as Lombardis are viable. Watt and DuPree signed longterm together means at least a 4-5 year window

[jebrick]

Finding a Bud Dupree replacement will be much harder than finding a JuJu replacement.

Especially since we may already have JuJu's replacement.

We don't. we have James Washington's replacement. We don't have a big slot possession receiver with gas.

They need more guys who can take those mesh routes across the middle and turn them into YAC.

Big Slot receiver is called Ebron but I do not trust him.

[jebrick]

https://youtu.be/jteX9NmXXf4?t=3644

At the 1 hour and 45 second mark they have an interesting take on Bud Dupree

Bringing up that they don't think he is that good of a pass rusher and why teams seem to give him such an easy run at the QB all the time or the fact that he gets Gildon sacks basically.

totally agree. He is not a great pass rusher. He is ok. I compare him to Clowney in that both are exceptional vs the run but just ok pass rushers. Someone is going to pay Bud to be a 9 tech and be disappointed. Bud should get paid about 10M per year but he will ask for 20M. See where that got Clowney.

[bradshaw2ben]

https://youtu.be/jteX9NmXXf4?t=3644

At the 1 hour and 45 second mark they have an interesting take on Bud Dupree

Bringing up that they don't think he is that good of a pass rusher and why teams seem to give him such an easy run at the QB all the time or the fact that he gets Gildon sacks basically.

totally agree. He is not a great pass rusher. He is ok. I compare him to Clowney in that both are exceptional vs the run but just ok pass rushers. Someone is going to pay Bud to be a 9 tech and be disappointed. Bud should get paid about 10M per year but he will ask for 20M. See where that got Clowney.

[Pabst]

Dupree has 5 sacks through 5 games this season.

Clowney has a grand total of 3 over his last 18 games.

Bud has 4.5 more sacks despite playing in 5 fewer games in his career. Bud's numbers have also been trending up while Clowney has been trending downward.


I am really struggling to think of a more overrated defensive player in my lifetime than Clowney.

[Smashmouth21]

Do whatever it takes to keep defense together. This front 7 is special. I pay Bud whatever he wants. Even if it means fire sale on offense. Juju, bye. Connor, thanks for your service. OL needs to be retooled anyways. I’m already prepared to roll with Chuks, Dotson, whichever of the OL will take a hometown discount, and a high draft pick. WR can be on the cheap for a few years. RBBC with an infusion of youth. It can be done. This is a potential championship team because of the defense, and Ben of course. And Bud is a critical piece. For all the shit he has gotten over the years, he is a complete player and vastly underrated.

[Jobu]

I am really struggling to think of a more overrated defensive player in my lifetime than Clowney.

Stop struggling...you already have the correct answer.

[Drummer Boy]

[fractalsteel]

https://youtu.be/jteX9NmXXf4?t=3644

At the 1 hour and 45 second mark they have an interesting take on Bud Dupree

Bringing up that they don't think he is that good of a pass rusher and why teams seem to give him such an easy run at the QB all the time or the fact that he gets Gildon sacks basically.

totally agree. He is not a great pass rusher. He is ok. I compare him to Clowney in that both are exceptional vs the run but just ok pass rushers. Someone is going to pay Bud to be a 9 tech and be disappointed. Bud should get paid about 10M per year but he will ask for 20M. See where that got Clowney.

Remember when Bud couldn't get up field and turn the corner to the QB? He can now.
Remember when a OT got his hands on him and Bud was neutralized? Not often now.
Remember when Bud couldn't put two PR moves in one sequence? He does that now.
Remember when Bud couldn't bullrush the Tackle? He can now.

Dupree is light years a better PR'er now then he was three, four years ago. His hands are significantly better now. He has worked hard(add in good coaching as well) to come up with more PR moves as well.
Don't forget all the TFL's he has the past few years.

[Ice]

Might have had something to do with the dismissal of Drinkin Buddy Joey as OLB coach. Bud has been on a steady upward trajectory since the day it happened. Been a lot of hate on here along the way. Good to see the guy do well. Hopefully he can still get paid and do well in a Steeler uniform for years to come.

[Jobu]

Might have had something to do with the dismissal of Drinkin Buddy Joey as OLB coach.

I believe this has a lot to do with it...

[Steel Bingo]

If JuJu is offered a competitive contract then he seems likely to stay with the Steelers. Not sure what those numbers might be, but I do believe his personality would be missed.

Dupree..it is fantastic that he has become the player he is today. Thanks to that, the $$$ will come calling for him. He should be expected to make the business decision.

[bradshaw2ben]

Do whatever it takes to keep defense together. This front 7 is special. I pay Bud whatever he wants. Even if it means fire sale on offense. Juju, bye. Connor, thanks for your service. OL needs to be retooled anyways. I’m already prepared to roll with Chuks, Dotson, whichever of the OL will take a hometown discount, and a high draft pick. WR can be on the cheap for a few years. RBBC with an infusion of youth. It can be done. This is a potential championship team because of the defense, and Ben of course. And Bud is a critical piece. For all the shit he has gotten over the years, he is a complete player and vastly underrated.

DING DING DING