Steelers Bring Pro Bowl Superstar Back to Pittsburgh in a Trade Amid Alex Highsmith’s Injury

Pittsburgh, PA – September 16, 2025 – The Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt a major blow just two weeks into the season, as star outside linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered a severe ankle injury. With the defense in urgent need of reinforcements, multiple league sources have confirmed that the Steelers are exploring a trade to bring back former Pro Bowl edge rusher Bud Dupree, who has struggled to find a role with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Highsmith, 27, has been one of the most important pieces of the Steelers’ defense since being drafted in 2020. With over 30 career sacks and two already in 2025, he was thriving alongside T.J. Watt. But in the Week 2 loss against the Seattle Seahawks on September 14, Highsmith suffered a high-ankle sprain after colliding with Boye Mafe.

Medical staff estimate he could miss 6–8 weeks, with the possibility of surgery ending his season. Head coach Mike Tomlin admitted after the game:

“We’ll evaluate further, but losing Alex is a significant blow. Our defense needs stability right now.”

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Bud Dupree—a two-time Pro Bowler and former Steelers star—has had an underwhelming stint with the Chargers. After signing a one-year deal in 2024 and re-upping in 2025, he managed only 6 sacks and 28 tackles last season, playing primarily as a rotational defender.

With a $3.6 million cap hit this season, Los Angeles is reportedly open to moving on to free up cap space for bigger priorities such as a Joey Bosa extension. An anonymous team source told NFL Network:

“Bud’s a solid veteran, but we need more impact off the edge. His cost doesn’t match the production.”

Dupree was once a cornerstone of the Steelers’ pass rush, posting 11.5 sacks in 2019 before signing a lucrative deal with the Titans. Injuries derailed his time in Tennessee, Atlanta, and now Los Angeles. Still, Pittsburgh sees him as a familiar face who could immediately slide back into their scheme alongside Watt and Patrick Queen.

The Steelers have roughly $15 million in cap space, enough to absorb a reduced contract if the Chargers agree to trade. If completed, Dupree could make his second Steelers debut in Week 3 vs. the Raiders.

Fans are already buzzing online, pushing #BringBackBud into trending territory.

When asked about the rumors, Dupree delivered a statement that echoed the emotion of a player eager to return home:

“They counted me out in L.A., said I wasn’t the same guy anymore. But in Pittsburgh, I was never just another player—I was family. If the Steelers want me back, I’ll be ready. I know what the Black & Gold means, and I’ve still got plenty left to give. Trust me, they’ll see the old Bud again.”

The Steelers sit at 1–1, trailing in a competitive AFC North, and with few free-agent pass rushers available, a reunion with Dupree looks both logical and symbolic. Tomlin has a history of trusting familiar veterans, and with Dupree’s 27 QB pressures in 2024, the move could steady the defense during Highsmith’s absence.

For now, no official announcement has been made, but momentum is building. Bringing Dupree home wouldn’t just plug a hole—it would rekindle the identity of the Steelers’ defense and remind fans of the “Steel Curtain” standard.