Kyle Dugger’s tenuous first season under Mike Vrabel finally is over

Late Tuesday night, the Patriots traded Dugger and a seventh-round pick to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick, according to multiple reports.

For a defense that may be elite but lacks depth, this return is shocking. When the 2026 NFL draft rolls around, the Patriots might not find a player better than Kyle Dugger in the sixth round.

Yes, his tenure in New England was one of the more unique ones. He went from second-round gem out of D-II Lenoir-Rhyne to centerpiece on top-five Bill Belichick-led defenses to big-money extension to scout-team player this summer under Mike Vrabel.

Yes, his playing time and quality of play dropped off from the midway point of last season to not being active last Sunday.

But like Jabrill

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