The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t bringing back safety Kyler Dugger. But the team will likely see the veteran twice next season.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday that Dugger is signing a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in NFL free agency.
Dugger had 42 tackles and 2 INTs last season with the Steelers after being acquired mid-season in a trade.
The Steelers acquired Dugger in a trade with the New England Patriots near the NFL trade deadline last year.
In Pittsburgh, Dugger started nine games, posting 42 combined tackles, including two for loss. He also had five pass defenses and two interceptions.
Ironically, Dugger returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown against the Bengals during Week 11.
The safety spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Patriots. Over parts of six seasons in New England, Dugger registered 441 combined tackles, 24 pass defenses, nine interceptions and 3.5 sacks.
Bengals Sign Safety Kyle Dugger: Report
GettyNFL insider Jordan Schultz reported former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in NFL free agency.
With Dugger, the Bengals are adding a veteran safety to their defense which was 30th in points scored again and 31st in yards allowed last season.
Cincinnati has made defensive upgrades a major emphasis this offseason. The Bengals signed Super Bowl-winning edge rusher Boye Mafe to a 3-year, $60 million deal. They also added veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
At safety, Cincinnati had already signed Bryan Cook before inking Dugger. The Bengals signed Cook to a 3-year, $40.25 million contract.
Dugger will bring six years of NFL experience to a team that hopes to be in playoff contention again. Facing the Steelers twice might be an extra bonus for Dugger.
However, the Steelers did give the safety a new opportunity after he fell out of favor with Mike Vrabel in New England.
With the Steelers, Dugger played 96% of the team’s defensive snaps in his nine games. Before the trade, he lined up for 44% of New England’s snaps on defense.
In Cincinnati, Dugger could compete to start at safety next to Cook in the Bengals secondary. Last season, 25-year-old and former third-rounder Jordan Battle started all 17 games for the Bengals at strong safety.
Steelers Safety Depth Entering 2026 NFL Season
GettyFormer All-Pro Jalen Ramsey is projected to start at safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2026.
Dugger was the second safety the Steelers saw depart in NFL free agency this week. On Tuesday, veteran Chuck Clark signed a deal with the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers are undergoing changes in their secondary this offseason, particularly at safety. Early in free agency, the team signed potential starting safeties Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage.
On paper, the Steelers secondary is stronger with Brisker and Savage instead of Dugger and Clark.
Veterans Jalen Ramsey and DeShon Elliott are projected to start at safety for the Steelers in 2026. But Ramsey will move around to a lot of different spots on defense with Brisker and/or Savage being able to fill safety.
Elliott is recovering from a significant knee injury he sustained during Week 8 last year. That’s what made the Steelers adding two free agent safeties essentially, especially with Dugger and Clark departing.
To support their secondary, the Steelers also signed cornerback Jamel Dean in NFL free agency. Dean is projected to start opposite Joey Porter Jr. with veteran Brandin Echols returning to play in the slot.
But Ramsey could line up in the slot and outside cornerback a lot too.
Under new head coach Mike McCarthy, the Steelers will have a new defensive play-caller during 2026 in Patrick Graham. He arrived in Pittsburgh this offseason with six years of defensive coordinator experience.
Steelers Lose Starting Safety to Bengals: Report