The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading for New England Patriots S Kyle Dugger, according to Adam Schefter on X.
Trade: New England is sending safety Kyle Dugger and a 7th-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 6th-round pick, per sources.
This is New England’s second trade today. It also sent edge Keion White and a 7th-round pick to the 49ers for a 6th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/gCxRkMq0Lp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2025
The trade involved a late-round pick swap, with the Steelers sending a sixth-round pick and getting a seventh-round pick back in return.
This trade comes on the heels of S DeShon Elliott injuring his knee in Week 8. The Steelers were running thin on talent in their safety room, and now they upgrade it with a veteran in his sixth season.
Dugger was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Patriots and started 69 games for them over the last six seasons. His best season came in 2023 when he started all 17 games and logged 109 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also had seven passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble that year.
In total, Dugger has 441 career tackles, 24 career passes defensed, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles, 25 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three defensive touchdowns.
Here is one of his pick-sixes against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
Dugger is listed at 6-1, 220 pounds, and ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash with a 42-inch vertical jump when he entered the league. He also has decent arm length at 32 7/8 inches.
Dugger has played the majority of his career snaps as a strong safety, but he has plenty of experience all over the secondary. He has 2,012 career snaps as a box defender, 906 at free safety, 223 as a wide corner, and 737 in the slot. He gives Pittsburgh another versatile piece to maneuver around their secondary, though they desperately needed safety help with Elliott out.
Dugger was on the injury report in Week 8 with a knee issue that ended up making him inactive on game day. He finished the week limited and was questionable. Teams often do entrance physicals upon trading for a player, and I’m sure this will be no exception. He also had a lingering ankle issue for much of 2024 and missed four games as a result.
His former teammate, Jabrill Peppers, should be able to help him get acclimated to his new home and how the Patriots’ defense translates over to Pittsburgh.
Our Dave Bryan broke down the salary cap ramifications here on X.
The Steelers will need to decide on Kyle Dugger and his $10.75M base salary for 2026 by March 18. $2.75M of that $10.75M becomes fully guaranteed then. Unless he plays his ass off, he might be cut or asked to take a pay cut to stay in 2026. #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 28, 2025
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots may be helping with some of the remaining salary.
Steelers act fast after DeShon Elliott injury.
Hang-up has been Dugger’s $9.75M salary, but it’s my understanding the Patriots are helping with some of the remaining salary. https://t.co/P4anBLRXhT
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 29, 2025
