Sportsnaut
We’ve heard plenty of chatter about how the Pittsburgh Steelers have been considering roster upgrades ahead of the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline. Yet, much of the Steelers’ rumors have centered on trading for a wide receiver.
But on Tuesday, they worked out a former All-Pro safety (Eddie Jackson), but they ended up signing Darrick Forrest to the practice squad instead. Yet, after the Steelers’ latest trade, Forrest may want to find a better opportunity elsewhere.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Steelers have agreed to trade for New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger. The Steelers are sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to New England in exchange for Dugger and a seventh.
It’s a fascinating trade, but we can’t say it comes as a surprise, considering the 29-year-old former second-round pick lost his starting role this season. The more interesting part is the fact that the Patriots just signed Dugger to a four-year, $58 million contract extension last year, but that was before Mike Vrabel and company took over.
Plus, the Steelers traded former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins before the season kicked off. Yet, when DeShon Elliott suffered an injury in Sunday night’s loss, Pittsburgh’s need for another safety grew. Elliott was placed on injured reserve. Dugger will take his place on the Steelers’ roster.
Thus, Dugger, who ranks 62nd among 88 safeties graded by Pro Football Focus, now joins a Mike Tomlin defense that is thrilled to have him coming aboard. He’ll bring 69 starts and a total of 81 games of experience to Pittsburgh, and hopefully, he can help the Steelers’ defense be more consistent in the second half of the season.
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