Keith Srakocic/Associated Press
Linebacker Bud Dupree is one of the key staples of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, and they made sure he will be around for at least the 2020 season.
On Thursday, the Steelers announced Dupree signed his franchise tender.
This comes after Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on March 16 the AFC North team placed the franchise tag on Dupree. At the time, Kevin Patra of NFL.com noted the value was expected to be around $16 million.
In January, team president Art Rooney II sounded like someone who wanted Dupree around for longer than one more year when he told reporters: "We'd like to have Bud back, no question about it.