Kyle Dugger experienced a rapid decline following a contract extension despite previously becoming a superstar at safety. A misdiagnosed injury affected his play; surgery occurred early in the offseason but summer performance remained uneven. He performed well in two preseason games, prompting roster consideration, yet the Patriots pursued trades up to the final cuts. Trade talks with multiple teams failed, and Dugger was ultimately included on New England’s 53-man roster. Teams expressed interest but hesitated due to his contract. The front office preference to trade Dugger creates long-term uncertainty about his role with the team.
It was a wild turn of events for the longtime starter, as he had become a superstar at the position over the last few years. That production earned him a contract extension last offseason, making his rapid decline during the following season that much more concerning. From being considered among the best in the league to quickly becoming a liability on the field, Dugger became more of a problem for the Patriots' defense than the usual game-changer.
We later found out he dealt with a misdiagnosed injury that impacted his game. However, he underwent surgery at the start of the offseason to fix the issue, yet his performance throughout the summer didn't improve much. He shined in two of the preseason games, which put him back on the radar to make the roster, only for the Patriots to try and trade him before the roster cut deadline.
Within the rumors about Dugger's future in New England, there have been reports of teams expressing interest, with his current contract making them hesitant to make a move. The Patriots have made it beyond clear that they'd like to trade him, so they're probably willing to accept almost anything, but they can't change the contract he was given by the previous regime.
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