Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ newest addition is already getting praise before even stepping on the field.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash move on Tuesday, trading with the New England Patriots for veteran safety Kyle Dugger, and one of his former teammates is expecting big things out of him.
Steelers safety Jabrill Peppers, who played with Dugger for three years in New England (2022-24), couldn’t help but praise the team for going out and getting him.
“Yeah, that’s my dawg, man. We go way back. Great addition to the room,” Peppers said. “Definitely fits what we’re trying to do here, so I can’t wait for him to jump on this moving train.”
There’s been a lot of people questioning what type of player Pittsburgh is getting in Dugger. His best statistical season came in 2023, when he racked up 109 tackles, six for a loss, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, seven passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
However, last year, he started 13 games while being limited by an ankle injury and finished with 81 tackles, eight for a loss, one sack, one quarterback hit, four passes defended and a forced fumble.
Peppers believes that just supports the type of player Dugger is.
“Just who he’s been, hard-nosed, smart, playmaker on the ball, tall, lanky guy who can match tight ends really well as well as playing the deep coverage,” he added. “His deltoid was off the bone (last year) and he only thought it was sprained. That’s the type of guy he is. He’s ready to play, so I’m happy for him to finally get back on the healthier side and show the league what I know he can do.”
Both players could see a big increase in playing time. Steelers starting strong safety DeShon Elliott suffered a knee hyperextension in Sunday’s loss the Green Bay Packers that is expected to sideline him for a while, if not the rest of the season. Pittsburgh’s other safeties have been struggling, too.
If that is the case, Peppers is not only confident that the two can pick up where they left off, but do it at a high level while helping the Steelers try to end their two-game losing streak against the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts.
“All I’ll say is watch the damn tape for the both of us,” Peppers finished. “There’s not a scheme neither one of us can’t play and be effective.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Jabrill Peppers Expects Greatness Out of Steelers’ Newest Addition
