Patriots Potentially Souring on Kyle Duggar

With all the hype surrounding the Patriots’ offense this offseason—highlighted by the addition of star receiver Stefon Diggs and the hopeful development of second-year quarterback Drake Maye—certain important storylines have flown under the radar. One such storyline involves safety Kyle Dugger, who has been active in the first two preseason games and has primarily lined up with the second team during practices. Despite being the team’s seventh-highest-paid player, Dugger now finds himself precariously positioned on the wrong side of the 53-man roster bubble as the final preseason game approaches.

At one point, Dugger’s talent was undeniable, and the Patriots envisioned him as a cornerstone of their defense moving forward. This confidence was reflected in April of last year when the team rewarded him with a lucrative contract extension, making him the sixth-highest-paid safety in the NFL. However, last season proved to be a challenging one for Dugger. His performance failed to meet expectations, and paired with a change in coaching staff, it now seems possible that Dugger may be on the way out.

The arrival of Head Coach Mike Vrabel and his staff has only intensified the scrutiny on the 29-year-old safety. From their perspective, Dugger has yet to earn a secure spot in the lineup despite his previous accomplishments and salary. It may come as a surprise to some fans, but the reality is that Dugger needs to deliver an outstanding performance in Thursday’s preseason game against the Giants to solidify his place on the roster. Even if the Patriots were to release him, the team would not realize significant salary cap relief—making this situation all the more complex and underscoring the importance of his upcoming on-field showing. The Pats take on the Giants at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.