NASHVILLE – This Bud's for … Tennessee.
The Titans on Friday officially landed one of the top pass rushers in free agency in former Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Bud Dupree when the two sides agreed to terms on a multi-year deal.
"Multiple teams were involved, but when my agent called me about the Titans, it just all made sense from the team standpoint really," Dupree said during a video conference call on Friday. "I wanted to be on a winning team and come in and be able to help out as much as I can. It all made sense to be a part of this organization.
"I am going to go out there and play with my hair on fire, and just try and get after the quarterback as much as I can."
Dupree, 28, recorded eight sacks in 11 games in 2020 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Dupree posted a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019 with 17 quarterback hits and 16 tackles for loss.
Dupree's 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons rank eighth and his six strip sacks rank fourth in the NFL since 2019.
Dupree played under the franchise tag in Pittsburgh last season before he was lost for the remainder of the year with a torn ACL. He expects to be healthy, and back for the 2021 season.
"Definitely I am going to be ready on camp – I am going to be full speed in camp, full steam ahead, being back in the groove and just making sure I am healthy then," Dupree said. "But I'll be healthy way before camp and I'll be full speed training, and I am excited about the progress that I've made so far. I am going to make sure I am in the best tip-top shape when I get back.
"I am coming back stronger than ever. I want to continue developing my game, and keep my arrow pointing upward."
A first-round pick of the Steelers in the 2015 NFL Draft, Dupree should bolster the pass rush in Tennessee while playing opposite edge rusher Harold Landry and others on a defense that needs a jumpstart in 2021.
In addition to his eight sacks last season, Dupree also posted 31 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hits for the Steelers.
In six seasons with the Steelers, Dupree started 66 games and he posted 39.5 sacks, 231 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, an interception return for a touchdown and 65 quarterback hits.
The 22nd overall pick in the 2015 Draft, Dupree played in 47 games at Kentucky (2011-14), starting 38. He finished with 247 tackles, 38.0 TFLs, 23.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles and ranked second in Wildcat history at the time he left Kentucky with 23.5 career sacks. Dupree finished in the top-10 in the SEC in quarterback sacks three straight years (2012-14) with the Wildcats.
Dupree, who was born and raised in Georgia, said he's excited to be back in the South, with the Titans.
"Kevin Byard, he does what he does – he's a great one," Dupree said. "(Jeffrey) Simmons, he's a young guy, but he is a tremendous player. There's a lot of other guys on the team making plays, and always in the mix, like (Jayon) Brown as well.
"I am excited to be a part of this team, with these guys coming in. I want to be the best I can be, not only for myself, but for them because they deserve it, and I feel like the team deserves it as well."
OLB Bud Dupree at Saint Thomas Sports Park signing with the Tennessee Titans. (Donald Page)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 19, 2021 - Bud Dupree contract signing and first visit at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
See the Top Images from DE Bud Dupree's six-year NFL Career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (AP Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) runs around the edge during an NFL AFC wild card playoff football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 30-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree, right, prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Sept. 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 27-3. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) tries to get away from Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) in action during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. The Chargers defeated the Steelers, 33-30. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. The Chargers won 33-30. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) applies pressure during the second half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree runs an interception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. The Steelers won, 30-27. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) pass rushes during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (Greg Trott via AP)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Fred Vuich)
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Ben Koyack (83) plays against Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the second half of an NFL divisional football AFC playoff game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-9. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) stands ready as he awaits the snap of the football during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Patriots won 27-24. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 40-17. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) awaits the snap of the football during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Detroit. The Steelers defeated the Lions 20-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Chicago. The Bears won 23-17 in overtime. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) in coverage during an NFL AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Steelers 36-17 to advance to Super Bowl LI. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) throws under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) during the third quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) awaits a New York Giants snap during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sep. 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Steelers defeated the Giants 26-16. (Alika Jenner via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) forces a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers recovered the fumble. Drew Lock was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) looks down the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Bengals 36-10. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) rushes the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
El quarterback de los Broncos de Denver Drew Lock busca receptor ante la presión del linebacker externo de los Steelers de Pittsburgh Bud Dupree en la primera mitad del juego del domingo 20 de septiembre de 2020, en Pittsburgh. (AP Foto/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree (48) runs around the edge as Miami Dolphins offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb (61) blocks during an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh won 27-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
