The New England Patriots are trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
New England is sending the veteran defensive back and a 2026 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2026 sixth-rounder.
Dugger was a mainstay on the Patriots' defense since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the 29-year-old dropped down the depth chart under head coach Mike Vrabel. He started four of seven games this season, recording 12 tackles.
The Lenoir-Rhyne University product signed a four-year, $58-million contract extension with New England in April 2024, per Over the Cap. The Patriots will pay most of the $5.4 million remaining on Dugger's base salary for the 2025 season, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old will become a free agent next offseason after the final two years of his contract were wiped out.
Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson played most of the snaps at safety for the Patriots this season.
The Steelers bolster their defensive secondary with the addition of Dugger. Pittsburgh is reportedly placing safety DeShon Elliott on injured reserve, per Rapoport.
The Patriots have been active ahead of the NFL trade deadline. New England reportedly traded defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a late-round pick swap in the 2026 draft, per Pelissero.
