Safety Kyle Dugger will stay within the AFC North in 2026, signing a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, agent Drew Rosenhaus informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.
The Bengals had a necessity at safety after Geno Stone signed with the Buffalo Bills final month.
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Dugger from the New England Patriots eventually season’s commerce deadline, giving up a 2026 sixth-round decide to land the previous second-rounder alongside with a 2026 seventh-round decide.
The Steelers made the transfer as beginning sturdy safety DeShon Elliott went on season-ending injured reserve. Dugger had a right away impression, taking part in almost 100% of defensive snaps in his first recreation in Pittsburgh because the Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts. Dugger then had a pick-six in his third begin, and he had one other interception within the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Though he performed almost each defensive snap in his first eight video games with the Steelers, he performed about half of the defensive snaps within the Week 18 finale and playoff recreation because the Steelers cut up Dugger’s reps with fellow veteran Chuck Clark.
Dugger, 30, recorded 59 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit and two interceptions with the Steelers and Patriots final season.
Since being chosen out of Lenoir-Rhyne College within the second spherical of the 2020 NFL draft by the Patriots, Dugger has recorded 11 whole interceptions in six seasons, together with three pick-sixes. He’s additionally pressured three fumbles and had a fumble restoration for a landing.
Dugger is not the one addition made to the secondary by the Bengals on Thursday. Cincinnati additionally signed free agent cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor, the workforce introduced.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor contributed to this report.
