The New England Patriots had a solid defense in 2023 according to most metrics, as it was their offense that ultimately did them in on their way to a poor 4-13 season.
The Pats know they need to keep leaning on that defense in 2024 as they will likely be bringing in a rookie at quarterback, which is why they’re reportedly locking up a key member of that defense before the season begins.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Pats are locking up safety Kyle Dugger with a 4-year, $58 million extension instead of the transition tag he was slated to play on.
The #Patriots have spent most of their offseason locking in their key, homegrown players. Now, another one — as Kyle Dugger gets a 4-year, $58M deal right at $14.5M per year.
Instead of the transition tag, he gets the long-term deal he wants.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 7, 2024
Dugger was hit with the transition tag earlier this offseason to avoid free agency, which is a move NFL teams rarely use, but that is now irrelevant as Dugger gets the big long-term deal he was looking for all along.
Dugger has continued to blossom throughout his four years in the league after being a 2nd-round pick in 2020 out of Lenoir-Rhyne and is coming off a career-high 109 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season.
The star safety also has nine interceptions over the past three years and by signing this deal, he ensures that New England will be keeping its entire starting secondary in tact heading into next year.
For a franchise going through such a drastic transition on offense and with the coaching staff, keeping some continuity on defense is of paramount importance.
Dugger just turned 28 and will be heading into the prime of his career as a well-paid man.
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