Patriots Continue Financial Support for Kyle Dugger in Strategic Steelers Trade

The New England Patriots recently traded safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the Patriots won’t completely cut ties with Dugger financially. They will still pay some of his bonuses and part of his salary for the 2025 NFL season.

Reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicate that the Patriots will bear most of the remaining $5.4 million from Dugger’s original $9.75 million salary. This includes bonuses that could add up to over $530,000 for each game he plays.

In this trade, Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick are going to Pittsburgh, while the Patriots receive a 2026 sixth-round selection. The financial adjustments made by New England sweeten the deal for the Steelers, as they have the budget to absorb this cost.

Instead of freeing up around $5.8 million in cap space, the trade will actually lead to a loss. According to salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, the Patriots are expected to lose nearly $8 million for the 2025 season once the trade is finalized.

Looking at the next couple of years, the Patriots stand to save significantly. The adjustment brings $16.9 million in savings for 2026 and $18 million for 2027. These savings come from a contract extension Dugger signed in 2024, which was a four-year deal worth $58 million.

Dugger will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. As part of this trade, his last two contract years have been nullified, making him available to explore other opportunities.

This trade reflects a broader trend in the NFL where teams are constantly adjusting their rosters and finances to stay competitive. With player salaries rising, decisions like these will continue to shape the game. As the NFL season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching how these changes impact both teams moving forward.



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