Kyle Dugger: Everything you need to know

Dugger is in line to sign a one-year deal with the Bengals,Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. In 16 regular-season games (seven with the Patriots and nine with the Steelers) in 2025, the 2020 second-rounder recorded a season-low 59 total tackles, as well as a sack and two interceptions. As Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News notes, Dugger brings both ample starting experience, as well as positional versatility to a Bengals defense that can use both.

Dugger compiled 59 total tackles (29 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed, two of which were interceptions, over 16 contests during the 2025 regular season. Dugger entered the 2025 campaign in his sixth season with the Patriots, but he was traded to the Steelers in late October after being used sparingly in New England. The safety was thrust into a prominent role in Pittsburgh's secondary, notching 42 total takedowns and two interceptions, including a 73-yard pick-six in Week 11 against the Bengals, while also adding three other passes defensed over nine regular-season games with the team. Dugger is still under contract for two more years after inking a four-year, $58 million contract with the Patriots in 2024, and he'll likely have a strong chance to start in the Steelers' secondary next season.

Dugger recorded eight tackles (five solo) and one interception during the Steelers' 13-6 loss to the Browns on Sunday. Dugger's eight tackles Sunday were a season high, and he nabbed his second interception of the season when he jumped in front of a pass from Shedeur Sanders intended for Jerry Jeudy early in the fourth quarter. Since being traded by the Patriots to the Steelers in October, Dugger has logged 40 tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and five pass defenses (including one interception and a pick-six) across eight regular-season games with Pittsburgh.