The Steelers’ newly acquired safety Kyle Dugger arrived Thursday morning at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after being traded to the team from the Patriots. The sixth-year safety who was a second round pick out of Lenoir-Rhyne University fell out of favor with new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff after signing a four-year contract extension with the Patriots in April 2024 — prior to Vrabel’s hiring in Jan. 2025.

Now with his new team on a contract that ties him to Pittsburgh only to the end of the 2025-2026 season, the 6-foot-2, 222 lbs. safety is ready to find where he can help a Steelers defense that ranks last in the NFL with 273.3 passing yards allowed per game.

“I was excited to get the opportunity to play ball and help this team,” Dugger said. “We didn’t get into

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