Patriots Reportedly Trade Kyle Dugger To Steelers For Shocking Return
Kyle Dugger’s tenuous first season under Mike Vrabel finally is over
Late Tuesday night, the Patriots traded Dugger and a seventh-round pick to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick, according to multiple reports.
For a defense that may be elite but lacks depth, this return is shocking. When the 2026 NFL draft rolls around, the Patriots might not find a player better than Kyle Dugger in the sixth round.
Yes, his tenure in New England was one of the more unique ones. He went from second-round gem out of D-II Lenoir-Rhyne to centerpiece on top-five Bill Belichick-led defenses to big-money extension to scout-team player this summer under Mike Vrabel.
Yes, his playing time and quality of play dropped off from the midway point of last season to not being active last Sunday.
But like Jabrill Peppers, Dugger is a starting-caliber player at a valuable position and is being traded away from a team that lacks depth in the secondary. Like Peppers, Dugger also fell out of favor with Vrabel and his staff.
Still like him or love him, to move Dugger this early before the deadline for just a sixth-round pick is a head-scratcher. Shop him around, try and get a player in return who can add depth where you lack it. Don’t just ship him off for pennies on the dollar to a team that has a need at defense and is fighting for a playoff position.
Just like the Peppers trade, Vrabel and Ryan Cowden seemed to care more for getting a player out of New England than getting a good return to help the team.