Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree has signed his franchise tender, the team announced on Thursday. 

The Steelers placed the franchise tag on Dupree on March 16 after the former first-round pick had a career season in 2019.  

Dupree set personal bests in sacks (11.5), total tackles (68), tackles for loss (16), quarterback hits (17), forced fumbles (4) and fumble recoveries (2). 

He tied for fifth in the NFL in both tackles for loss and forced fumbles, and was tied for ninth in the league in sacks. 

"I took my game to a different level," Dupree said. 

Dupree has 31.5 sacks in 70 games since the Steelers selected him with the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.