New England Patriots’ safety Kyle Dugger is entering year two of a 58 million dollar contract extension he signed in 2024. In the season immediately following the 29-year-olds massive raise, Dugger injured his ankle Week 4. Initially thought to be a bone bruise, the safety played through the injury, missing just four games as a result. In the offseason he underwent surgery on that same ankle to repair the ligament damage he had been playing through.
As a result, he recorded just 81 tackles and zero interceptions on the season. This was a stark decline from the 100+ tackle season a year prior, as well as three straight years recording multiple interceptions. This drew some fans to criticize the former second round picks decline.
Well, after just one preseason game as head coach, Mike Vrabel has all but silenced the Kyle Dugger haters by publicly demoting the sixth year veteran to second team.
Vrabel cites the injury recovery as part of a reason why Dugger is working with the reserves.
“His attitude’s been great,” Vrabel said to the media. “He’s had a long recovery in the offseason. He’s been out there, and he’s continued to get better and work. The more that he practices, the better he’s going to feel and the more it’s going to translate onto the football field.”
However, Vrabel also reiterated that it does come down to production at the end of the day.
“Just making sure that he’s where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do,” he continued. “Keep working and keep progressing. A lot of this is the guys that have earned a right to take a look with that first unit, and there’ll be different lineups and different things. So, just focus on the reps that you get.”
Jaylinn Hawkins Taking Reps Over Kyle Dugger
So who is this safety that has “earned a right” to work with the ones? That would be sixth year safety Jaylinn Hawkins. Hawkins was selected in the same draft class as Dugger, however nearly 100 picks later by the Atlanta Falcons.
He played out his rookie contract in Atlanta, then was shipped to the Los Angeles Chargers where he finished his fourth season and eventually found himself in New England in March of 2024.
Last year as a second-team safety, Hawkins appeared in every single game making a total of 48 tackles. Vrabel says he likes the speed he brings to the table.
“He’s playing with some speed and plays with some physicality,” Vrabel said of Hawkins. “You saw a couple passes out to the perimeter that he was on, and tight coverage in the game.”
“He’s continuing to take advantage of his opportunities and then we’ll see where that goes.”
Dugger Labeled As Potential Trade Candidate
The safety depth in Foxboro looks encouraging. Along with Dugger and Hawkins, NFL vet Jabrill Peppers and rookie Craig Woodson have also been receiving looks on the first team. All of this to say the Patriots have options at the position.
It is for this reason that NFL.com’s Kevin Patra says Dugger is a potential trade candidate.
“A veteran like Dugger fighting to hold on to his starting job often happens when new coaches take over,” Patra writes. “The staff will determine whether he fits the plans for its revamped defense over the coming weeks. Given the demotion, Dugger could be a trade or cut candidate when rosters must be trimmed to 53 on Aug. 26, even if the Patriots would eat a lot of dead money on his contract.”
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