Pittsburgh Steelers acquire defensive back in trade with AFC rival

by: Griffin McVeigh 22 hours ago griffin_mcveigh

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots are trading defensive back Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A seventh-round pick will be joining Dugger, while the Patriots receive a sixth-rounder in return.

“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,” Schefter said via X. “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.”

Schefter later added to his report, explaining why the Patriots decided to move Dugger. A long-term deal was worked out between the two just last offseason. However, this was before a coaching change took place in New England. Dugger did not exactly match the scheme and made it everyone’s best interest to make a move.

“The Patriots signed S Kyle Dugger to a 4-year, $58M deal just last year, but that was before Mike Vrabel arrived with his new defensive scheme,” Schefter said.

Dugger is in his sixth NFL season after being a second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2020. His college days were spent at Lenoir–Rhyne, a Division II school. Still, New England felt good enough to take him at No. 37 overall and the move paid off.

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