The Steelers need to Franchise Tag Bud Dupree

The Steelers had been waiting for four years. Finally, their former first-round pick, Bud Dupree, has played up to expectations. However, this places the Steelers in a tough spot. First, they have roughly 4 million dollars in cap room. That is not even enough to sign their next draft class, which is projected to cost 5.1 million.


They also must look ahead, because T.J. Watt is going to demand a huge payday. So what should the Steelers do? They desperately want to retain Bud Dupree, but a long term contract would be very hard for the Steelers to get, unless Bud decides to be very favorable in what he would ask for. Bud will demand a contract that the
Steelers most likely cannot afford.
 So what can the Steelers do? They need Bud to help them make a Super Bowl run, he and Watt form arguably the best pass rushing duo in the NFL, along with arguably the best defense. and getting Ben back  will help the Steelers make that dream seem very realizable. The Steelers need to franchise tag Bud. They have no other option. If they could sign Bud to a long term deal, and still afford Watt, Minkah, JuJu, and others who will be paid, and paid well very soon, then they would do it in a heartbeat.



But it wont happen.

The Steelers must franchise tag Bud. They will have to cut players like Vance McDonald, Anthony Chickolo, Ramon Foster, and others to do so. But there is no other way, and if the Steelers want to win the Super Bowl next year, Bud will need to be part of it.