When the clock struck 4 p.m. Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree became $9.2 million richer.
Dupree’s fifth-year contract option became guaranteed with the start of the new NFL league season.
“Go time,” Dupree wrote on his verified Twitter account.
??Go Time
— Big Bud (@Bud_Dupree) March 13, 2019
The Steelers picked up the option in April. They could have rescinded it at any point until Wednesday afternoon — barring injury.
In his four seasons with the Steelers, Dupree has averaged five sacks. He had 5.5 sacks in 2018 when he started 15 of 16 games and had a career-high 42 tackles. Dupree also recorded his first career interception, which he returned for a touchdown against Tampa Bay.
In February, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert indicated he was comfortable with the organization paying Dupree the fifth-year option. Dupree had an approximate $1.7 million base salary in 2018.
Unless the two sides agree to an extension, Dupree will become a free agent in 2020.
