The New England Patriots gave safety Kyle Dugger a multi-year contract extension for $58 million over the next four years running through 2028. But after training camp and so far in the preseason, Dugger is losing his status as one of the prominent players on the defense.
Entering his sixth season in New England, Dugger is the longest tenured player on the roster and he’s sliding down the depth chart as we move forward in the preseason.
Throughout training camp, Dugger has been noticeably a step behind in terms of his speed. This has resulted in him allowing receivers to get behind him in coverage, which cannot happen at the safety position.
It's worth mentioning that Dugger is returning from offseason surgery after playing through an ankle injury in 2024. It was originally reported as a bone bruise, but it was eventually confirmed that he tore a ligament in his ankle.
Dugger played in 13-games last season, finishing with 81 tackles- the second-highest on the team. He didn’t make an interception, which is the first time since his rookie season in 2020.
As the preseason progresses, we’re seeing Dugger work with the second and unit while safeties Jabril Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcus Epps, and rookie Craig Woodson are seeing more of the first team reps.
The latest development out of practice has been that Dugger isn’t included with the Patriots’ nickel packages featuring three safeties. That work has gone to the rookie Woodson according to Paul Perillo of Patriots.com.
With Mike Vrabel being the head coach, the style of defense is changing to an aggressive and attacking approach and concepts. Although this fits Dugger’s play style, that’s not the job of the safety position in this type of system.
In May, Karen Guregian asked Dugger if his style of play fits into the aggressive and violent defense that Vrabel is building. Dugger smiled and said that it fits him well.
Kyle Dugger on how the #Patriots new defensive coaching staff wants to be violent and aggressive and if it fits his play style.
— Justin Trombino (@Trombino20) May 6, 2025
He smiles and says:
“I would say that’s what I want to do as well. … it fits in my play style pretty good.”
(🎥Patriots) #NEPats pic.twitter.com/7KVxSitiMR
Dugger was drafted by Bill Belichick out of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round in 2020. He resembled a play style that Belichick valued as a versatile big nickel hybrid safety that can play down in the box with linebacker qualities. To Belichick, Dugger had similar qualities to Patrick Chung, who had much success in New England.
It’s surprising that we’re at this point with Dugger, as it seems like he’d be a player that Vrabel wants to have on his defense. With Dugger and Peppers, the Patriots have one of the best safety duos in the NFL. When you consider Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis at the corners, New England has one of the best defensive secondaries in the league.
Looking at the financials behind Dugger’s contract, he holds the second-largest salary cap on the team at $15.3 million and a dead cap of $14.25 million if they were to cut him, per Spotrac. It would be wise for the Patriots to trade him if they’re ready to move on from him.
In 2026, however, Dugger’s dead cap drops to $9 million.
If the Pats do decide to go this route, Dugger would be another name added to a lengthy list of players that were drafted or acquired by Belichick that are no longer on the team as a Vrabel-decision.
For Dugger to get back on the field with the first team, however, Vrabel said that he needs to make sure that he understands the coverage concepts, which is something I mentioned earlier about the safety position.
“I think just making sure that he’s where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do. Keep working and keep progressing. A lot of this is the guys that have earned a right to take a look with that first unit.”
Dugger will have another opportunity to prove himself during joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings and in their second preseason game on Saturday.