The Pittsburgh Steelers have enhanced their secondary by trading for safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots on the evening of October 31, 2023. In this trade, the Steelers exchanged a sixth-round draft pick for Dugger and a seventh-round pick, as reported by ESPN. This move comes as the Steelers look to strengthen their defense after recent struggles in pass coverage.
To facilitate the acquisition of Dugger, the Steelers are placing safety DeShon Elliott on injured reserve due to a hyperextended knee sustained during a loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. This injury further highlights the Steelers’ need for depth in their defensive backfield as they face mounting challenges.
Dugger, who was a significant contributor in New England under former coach Bill Belichick, saw his role diminish under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. Once a starter, he was reportedly available for trade after being demoted to the second team prior to the regular season. In the current campaign, Dugger has participated in seven games, starting four, and has recorded 17 combined tackles. He missed last week’s match against the Cleveland Browns due to a knee injury.
The 2024 season saw Dugger sign a four-year, $58 million contract extension, marking him as a valuable asset for the Steelers. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he has played in 81 games, starting 69 of them. Notably, Dugger is the second defensive player traded by the Patriots on the same day, following the departure of defensive end Keion White, who was sent to the San Francisco 49ers.
The Steelers are eager for Dugger to make an immediate impact in a secondary that has struggled significantly. In their recent game against the Packers, quarterback Jordan Love exploited gaps in Pittsburgh’s defense, throwing for 360 yards and three touchdowns. This performance underscores the urgency for the Steelers to revamp their defensive strategy.
On the same day, the Steelers also added former Washington Commanders safety Darrick Forrest to their practice squad, following workouts with veteran safeties Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson. Despite a promising start to the season with a 4-1 record, the Steelers have now dropped two consecutive games, allowing a combined 688 passing yards and six touchdowns.
As Pittsburgh prepares for their upcoming clash against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, they aim to halt their two-game losing streak and reassert their position in the league standings. With Dugger’s arrival, the Steelers hope to not only improve their performance but also strengthen their playoff aspirations.
