As Bud Dupree prepares for a possible foray into free agency, he’s also preparing for new representation.

The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, who can become a free agent March 18 unless the team uses the franchise tag on him, has left CAA Sports, according to Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen.

Dupree must wait five days, per NFL players’ association rules, before he can sign with another agency.

Steelers LB Bud Dupree, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, has left CAA Sports. The NFLPA's 5-day waiting rule is in effect, so he cannot sign with a new agency at this time.

— Liz Mullen (@SBJLizMullen) February 18, 2020

The Steelers said keeping Dupree in 2020 is a “high priority,” and the time frame for teams to use the franchise tag runs from Feb. 27-March 10. If the Steelers use the franchise tag, which is worth $16.2 million, on Dupree, they would have until July 15 to sign him to a long-term contract.

General manager Kevin Colbert said last week the Steelers would “have a better idea” about whether to tag Dupree as it gets closer to the March 10 deadline.

“We have a good idea about where things stand at this point, but we don’t have concrete information as to whether or not we will tag,” Colbert said. “We always say that while the tag is available, it’s something we will consider, but we’re not anywhere near done with our final free agency preparation.”

Dupree earned $9.232 million in 2019 under the fifth-year option the Steelers exercised the previous year. He set career highs with 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 68 tackles.

Dupree is the second Steelers player and impending free agent to change representation in as many weeks. Nose tackle Javon Hargrave recently signed with mega-agent Drew Rosenhaus.

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