Kyle Dugger is out at the Patriots after five seasons and has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a big day of moving parts in New England.
Dugger only signed a new four-year, $58million contract last year but Mike Vrabel’s arrival with the team has seen his role diminish.
He is heading to the Steelers – joining his former Patriots safety teammate Jabrill Peppers – in exchange for a sixth-round pick, per Adam Schefter.
It has been a big day of trades and contract news for New England, who earlier handed cornerback Marcus Jones a new three-year, $36million deal.
Earlier this evening, they also traded defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth and seventh-rounder in next year’s draft.
Dugger’s move is a bigger surprise, given his 69 games for the Patriots over the past five seasons, recording nine interceptions along the way.
Kyle Dugger (left) and Keion White (right) have both been traded away by the Patriots
Dugger was in his sixth season with New England but has fallen out of favor with Mike Vrabel
He was drafted out of Lenoir–Rhyne in the second round by New England in 2020 and has only ever played for the Patriots.
So far this season, Dugger has played in seven games for the Patriots, last suiting up a week ago in the 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans.
He didn’t come on the field against the Browns on Sunday, and Jaylinn Hawkins is the team’s starting safety.
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers are placing DeShon Elliott – who has a knee injury – on IR to make room for Dugger, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Vrabel’s Patriots are enjoying an impressive season and are currently top of the AFC East
Drake Maye has performed brilliantly and the Pats are active as the trade deadline approaches
It has been an impressive season for the Patriots so far, who are 6-2 and sit atop the AFC East, ahead of the Buffalo Bills.
Drake Maye has been impressive at quarterback and the Patriots – under Vrabel – look a force to be reckoned with this season.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are adding parts while also enjoying an impressive year themselves, with Aaron Rodgers under center.
The team is also top of its division, a 4-3 record good enough to be ahead of the Bengals, Ravens and Browns in the AFC North.
