Kyle Dugger is set to extend his stay in New England with a fresh four-year contract worth $58 million, as reported by ESPN. The Patriots had previously designated Dugger with a transition tag earlier in the offseason.
Selected in the second round of the 2020 draft from Division II Lenor-Rhyne, Dugger has been an active player, participating in 61 out of 67 possible games in his career. His impressive stats include 343 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits. Dugger’s versatility shines through his ability to play various positions on the field, showcased by his snaps as a box safety, deep safety, slot corner, perimeter corner, and along the defensive line.
The Patriots prioritized retaining Dugger, utilizing the transition tag to secure their right of first refusal against any contract offers he might receive. Notably, the transition tag comes with a different price point compared to the franchise tag. While Dugger will receive $13.8 million on the transition tag, his new contract averages at $14.5 million annually. This places him among the top safeties in the league, trailing only a few notable names in terms of average annual value, base value, and guaranteed money.
Despite securing Dugger’s future, the Patriots still have room to address their needs, both offensively and defensively, with ample salary cap space and a high draft pick in their arsenal.
