Steelers LB Bud Dupree reportedly files grievance over franchise tag compensation
Bud Dupree is contesting the value of the position he plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The outside linebacker filed a grievance with the NFL on Friday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, because he believes he should be paid as a defensive end as part of the league’s franchise-tag payment structure.
Dupree, who signed his franchise-tag tender in April, will be paid $15.82 million this season if the NFL plays a complete schedule of games amid the coronavirus pandemic. The franchise-tag tender for a defensive end, however, is $17.788 million – a difference of nearly $2 million.
Tampa Bay’s Shaq Barrett filed a similar grievance.
Dupree, who had a career-high 11.5 sacks in his fifth NFL season, has played outside linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense since he was taken in the first round of the 2015 draft. He would be considered a defensive end in a 4-3 system, although Dupree hasn’t lined up with his hand on the ground in the NFL.
The Steelers and Dupree have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to sign a multi-year contract. If no deal is reached, Dupree must play the 2020 season under the terms of the franchise tag.
General manager Kevin Colbert said in March that the Steelers tagged Dupree with the intention of signing him to a longer contract. However, there are no indications the Steelers and Dupree are close to a deal.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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