Steelers acquire veteran safety Kyle Dugger from Patriots for 6th-round draft pick

Ray Fittipaldo and Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Oct 28, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — The Steelers acquired a safety to help fill the void left by DeShon Elliott, who suffered a hyperextended knee in Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers are getting veteran Kyle Dugger and a seventh-round pick from the Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Dugger, 29, was selected in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Patriots and started 69 games in his six seasons in New England, including four this season. He has nine career interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns. He has 444 career tackles.

At 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, Dugger also brings a physical presence to the defense. Coach Mike Tomlin noted earlier Tuesday how much Elliott helped the Steelers’ run defense.

Dugger has been on the trade market since the summer despite signing a four-year, $58 million deal in 2023. First-year Patriots coach Mike Vrabel installed a new defense when he was hired, and Dugger did not have an expanded role like he had in previous seasons.

It’s the second time this season the Steelers acquired a safety who had fallen out of favor in New England. Jabrill Peppers was released by the Patriots early in September, and the Steelers signed him to their 53-man roster.

Dugger joins a crowded group of safeties who will be vying for playing time in the wake of Elliott’s injury. Peppers, Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark also will be competing for spots in the defensive backfield.

The Steelers are going to place Elliott on injured reserve to make room for Dugger on the 53-man roster.

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