The Cincinnati Bengals could still address the safety position this offseason despite signing Bryan Cook. The issue is that their depth is relatively thin, and they are inexperienced after losing Geno Stone to the Buffalo Bills and Tycen Anderson to the Denver Broncos. The most experienced backup, Russ Yeast, who has ten career starts, has yet to play a regular-season game since 2024 and spent 2025 on the Bengals practice squad, while Daijahn Anthony has logged 43 defensive snaps in his first two seasons, and PJ Jules has only played in eight snaps.
The Cincinnati Bengals sign a defensive back from a division rival
Washington Commanders, Kyle Dugger
Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) takes the field against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
According to Adam Schefter, the Bengals have signed Kyle Dugger to a one-year deal, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The former second-round pick is on his third team, entering his seventh year in the league. Dugger, who is attempting to turn his career around in Cincinnati following a couple of disappointing seasons, brings experience with 79 career starts, including the playoffs, and depth with 11 interceptions.
Former Steelers free-agent safety Kyle Dugger is signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. pic.twitter.com/S1psSkF8J9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his past two seasons
New England Patriots, Kyle Dugger
Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots re-signed Kyle Dugger to a four-year, $58 million contract in April after being transition tagged. He had a rough 2024 campaign, battling a nagging high-ankle sprain initially sustained in September that was misdiagnosed, which negatively impacted his performance. Dugger recorded 81 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 13 games. He allowed a 76% completion rate, 357 passing yards, six touchdowns, and a whopping 137.4 passer rating.
Kyle Dugger lost the starting safety job ahead of the 2025 season and played sparingly through the first seven weeks. The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired him in late October and finished the year as the starter. Dugger totaled 59 tackles, two TFLs, one sack, one safety, two interceptions, one pick-six, and five pass breakups through 16 regular-season games and 13 starts, plus six tackles in the Wild Card. He allowed a 68% completion rate, 320 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 107.9 passer rating.
Also Read: Pittsburgh Steelers Acquire $58 Million Defensive Back
As part of the trade, the Steelers voided the final two years of Dugger’s contract, which made him a free agent this offseason.