The Steelers picked up the fifth-year option on Bud Dupree’s rookie contract last month. Barring an unforeseen change of heart, the Steelers will pay Dupree more than $9 million in 2019 unless they can come to terms with him on a long-term contract before then. The bottom line is they believe in Dupree’s talent and are showing more faith in him than they did Jarvis Jones, the 2013 first-round pick whose fifth-year option was declined.
That’s why it was a little odd Wednesday afternoon when the explanation of Dupree’s move from left outside linebacker to right outside linebacker was articulated by defensive coordinator Keith Butler and position coach Joey Porter.