Patriots safety Kyle Dugger has made the team’s 53-man roster, according to a source.
Dugger had been available for trade for weeks during a difficult summer for the team’s longest-tenured player. The Patriots engaged in trade talks with multiple teams, but were not close on a deal through Tuesday morning, per source.
Dugger’s sizable contract affected his trade value, with teams feeling reluctant to take on the remaining three years of the four-year, $58 million extension he signed last season. Dugger is also coming off a poor 2024 season when he played on a misdiagnosed high ankle sprain and was slow to recover this year.
By the time he hit the field this summer, Dugger tumbled down the depth chart over a matter of four weeks. He opened training camp on the Patriots’ starting defense and eventually slid down to the scout-team unit last week. Dugger also saw extensive action in the Patriots’ final preseason games, playing until the final gun at Minnesota and deep into the second half against the Giants in the team’s preseason finale.
After the preseason finale, Dugger spoke about the difficulty adjusting to the Patriots’ new defensive scheme under head coach Mike Vrabel.
Following Tuesday’s roster cuts, the Patriots’ safety depth now appears to be Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler.
Originally Published: August 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM EDT