Tag: Kyle Dugger

Nov 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) intercepts the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Agent: S Kyle Dugger signing one-year contract with Bengals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent safety Kyle Dugger is signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, his agent Drew Rosenhaus informed ESPN on Thursday.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Dugger, who opted to be a free agent in March after the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired him in a deal with the New England Patriots on Oct. 28.

Dugger, 30, signed a four-year, $58 million contract with New England in 2024 after receiving the transition tag. He totaled 59 tackles and two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — in 16 games (13 starts) this season with the Patriots and Steelers.

The 2020 second-round pick has recorded 483 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 11 interceptions — three returned for touchdowns — in 90 career games (78 starts) with New England and Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) reacts after intercepting a pass during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Reports: Patriots trade S Kyle Dugger to Steelers, DE Keion White to 49ers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots moved on from a pair of former defensive starters on Tuesday by trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple media reports.

Both swaps are framed the same: The Patriots are sending a seventh-round draft pick along with their former player while collecting a sixth-round choice in return.

Dugger and White had been starters under previous Pats head coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, but their roles diminished for first-year coach Mike Vrabel this season. White, 26, was a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ 32-13 victory against the visiting Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Dugger signed a four-year, $58-million contract with New England last year after receiving the transition tag. He started just four of seven games for the Patriots this season after starting every game he appeared in during the past three campaigns.

The 2020 second-round pick has contributed just 17 tackles in 2025. He has recorded 441 tackles, 3.5 sacks and nine interceptions across six seasons.

Dugger joins a Steelers defense that just lost veteran safety DeShon Elliott to a hyperextended knee in Sunday night’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Elliott is week-to-week, according to ESPN.

White, meanwhile, played in the Patriots’ first five games with one start this season and totaled six tackles. The 2023 second-round pick started 13 of 17 games last year and totaled 56 tackles, five sacks, seven tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.

In parts of three seasons, White has 88 tackles, six sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 21 QB hits in 38 games (18 starts).

White’s new club, the 49ers, has amassed just nine sacks in eight games — only the Jacksonville Jaguars (eight in seven) have fewer. San Francisco has been trying to compete without five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa, who sustained a season-ending torn right ACL in Week 3.

The 49ers’ depth is thin with ends Bryce Huff (hamstring), Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) and Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) also dealing with injuries.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Patriots S Kyle Dugger (ankle) questionable vs. Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger was added to the team’s injury report as questionable for Sunday’s home game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass.

The Patriots (1-6) already are without their other starting safety Jabrill Peppers, who is on the commissioner’s exempt list due to legal issues. Marte Mapu and Jaylinn Hawkins could serve as the starting safeties should Dugger sit out on Sunday versus the Jets (2-5).

Dugger, 28, has 35 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in six games (all starts) this season.

He has 378 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine interceptions (two returned for TDs), 22 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 67 games (58 starts). He was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) takes the field with teammates before the game against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Patriots rule out S Jabrill Peppers vs. Dolphins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots downgraded safety Jabrill Peppers from questionable to out on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins because of a shoulder injury.

Peppers did not practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday.

New England (1-3) also could be thin at the position against visiting Miami (1-3) because their other starting safety, Kyle Dugger, didn’t practice all week due to an ankle injury and is listed as questionable.

The Patriots could look to veteran reserves Jaylinn Hawkins and Brenden Schooler as well as undrafted rookie Dell Pettus for safety help. Safety Marte Mapu was limited at practice this week because of a calf issue and also is listed as questionable.

Peppers, who turned 29 on Friday, has started all four games and has 23 tackles, one interception and two passes defended.

In his eighth season, Peppers has 494 career tackles with 28 tackles for loss, 5.5 acks, seven interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 97 games (83 starts).

The Cleveland Browns selected Peppers in the first round (25th overall) out of Michigan in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has played for the Browns (2017-18), New York Giants (2019-21) and Patriots.

Dugger, 28, has 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in starting all four games this season.

The Patriots picked him in the second round of the 2020 draft. He has 363 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, nine interceptions (two returned for TDs), 21 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 65 games (56 starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Patriots to put Ja’Whaun Bentley on IR, tab Kyle Dugger as captain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots will place linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley on injured reserve Wednesday and tab safety Kyle Dugger as a defensive captain, head coach Jerod Mayo announced.

Bentley sustained a pectoral injury in the first quarter of the Patriots’ 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 15. He sat out last Thursday’s 24-3 loss to the New York Jets.

“I had a conversation with Bentley, obviously not being in the building every single day right now as he goes through the rehab process. But I did ask him, I said, ‘To me, it’s important that we still have leadership and representation for that side of the ball,’” Mayo said Wednesday.

“And when we did the vote for captains, and once again this is voted on by their peers, it was very close. It was very close. And happy to announce today a guy who has done a tremendous job for us. (He) has really showed a lot of growth for us on the field and off the field and that’s Kyle Dugger.”

Dugger, 28, has recorded 18 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in three games (all starts) this season.

He has 361 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions — both of which were returned for touchdowns — in 64 career games (55 starts) with the Patriots.

Bentley, 28, had 12 tackles and a half-sack through the first two games of the season.

He has 509 tackles, 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 83 career games (68 starts) with the Patriots.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) runs the ball out of the end zone after an interception during the first half against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: S Kyle Dugger, Patriots agree to 4-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots and star safety Kyle Dugger have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension, multiple media outlets reported Sunday.

Per reports, Dugger will receive a base value of $58 million for the contract, and the deal could be worth up to $66 million. It includes $32.5 million in guarantees.

Dugger, 28, received the transition tag from the Patriots last month. The tag allowed the Patriots to match any offer from another team.

Dugger recorded a career-best 109 tackles to go with two interceptions and 1.5 sacks in 17 games (all starts).

He has totaled 343 tackles, nine interceptions and 2.5 sacks in 61 career games (52 starts) since being selected by New England in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10) is tackled by New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) after a catch.

Reports: Patriots to use transition tag on S Kyle Dugger

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots are placing the transition tag on star safety Kyle Dugger, multiple media outlets announced Tuesday.

Dugger would take home $13.8 million for the 2024 season barring a contract agreement with the Patriots before the NFL deadline of July 17.

The tag allows the Patriots to match any offer from another team. It is a one-year tender offer for the average of the top 10 salaries at the position, as opposed to the top five for the franchise tag.

Dugger, who turns 28 March 22, recorded a career-best 109 tackles to go along with two interceptions and 1.5 sacks in 17 games (all starts).

He has totaled 343 tackles, nine interceptions and 2.5 sacks in 61 career games (52 starts) since being selected by New England in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media