Adam Schefter Predicts Patriots Will Trade Key Player Before Deadline
Recent speculation suggests that safety Kyle Dugger may soon exit the New England Patriots. Throughout the previous offseason, he was a frequent subject of trade discussions but ultimately secured a place on the team’s active roster.
Adam Schefter’s Trade Prediction
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has publicly predicted that the Patriots will trade Dugger before the upcoming NFL trade deadline. In his latest podcast, he stated, “The New England Patriots have been open to moving off their former transition (tag) safety Kyle Dugger; we’ll see if (a trade) happens.” He expressed a strong belief that Dugger will no longer be on the roster by the time the deadline arrives.
Dugger’s Recent Performance
In the initial five weeks of the season, Dugger had a limited role. However, he took on a full workload during Week 6 and Week 7, filling in for Jaylinn Hawkins, who was sidelined by an injury. Unfortunately, Dugger missed last week’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns due to a knee issue.
Contract and Team Standing
Drafted in the second round in 2020, Dugger stands as the longest-tenured player on the Patriots’ roster. His salary ranks third on the team, following Mike Onwenu and Christian Barmore. He has two years remaining on his contract but is not guaranteed any money beyond the current season, which could lead to an offseason release.
Future of the Patriots’ Secondary
If the Patriots proceed with trading Dugger, they would be left with the following players as their primary safeties:
- Jaylinn Hawkins
- Craig Woodson
- Dell Pettus
Dugger, who was one of the team’s key defensive contributors in 2022 and 2023, faced challenges during the last season due to an ankle injury. He underwent surgery in the offseason, which led to a reduced role during training camp, ultimately putting his position at risk during roster cutdowns.
