Report: Pittsburgh Steelers acquire Kyle Dugger in trade with New England Patriots

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots are trading defensive back Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers. A seventh-round pick will be joining Dugger, while the Patriots receive a sixth-rounder in return.

“Trade: New England is sending safety Kyle Dugger and a 7th-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 6th-round pick, per sources,” Schefter said via X. “This is New England’s second trade today. It also sent edge Keion White and a 7th-round pick to the 49ers for a 6th-round pick.”

Schefter later added to his report, explaining why the Patriots decided to move Dugger. A long-term deal was worked out between the two just last offseason. However, this was before a coaching change took place in New England. Dugger did not exactly match the scheme and made it everyone’s best interest to make a move.

“The Patriots signed S Kyle Dugger to a 4-year, $58M deal just last year, but that was before Mike Vrabel arrived with his new defensive scheme,” Schefter said.

Dugger is in his sixth NFL season after being a second-round pick of the Patriots back in 2020. His college days were spent at Lenoir–Rhyne, a Division II school. Still, New England felt good enough to take him at No. 37 overall and the move paid off.

In 69 games, Dugger has recorded 441 tackles, nine interceptions, 24 passes defended, and three forced fumbles. Those are the type of numbers the Steelers are looking for as they hope to make a push in the AFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers lose DeSon Elliott for season

Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s 35-25 Week 8 home defeat to the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1). While Elliott’s ACL is intact, Pittsburgh is bracing for Elliott to miss the remainder of the season, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Elliott exited the game in the second half after his knee bent back under a pile of players during an attempt at tackling Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. He was in tears as he was carted off the field.

“They will play the rest of this game without DeShon Elliott because of the injury he suffered to his knee,” NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark said on the broadcast. “We saw him immediately grab his right knee. He was helped off the field into the medical tent with the athletic training staff and the team orthopedist. He was in so much pain, yelling out in frustration. He was put on the cart, he had tears in his eyes, and his hands covering his face.”

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report