The New England Patriots made a significant move on Tuesday by trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This transaction, however, does not entirely relieve the Patriots of Dugger's financial obligations. Not only will his signing and offseason bonuses remain on the team's payroll, but the Patriots will also cover a portion of Dugger’s remaining base salary for the 2025 NFL season.
As reported by Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, the Patriots will be responsible for a significant portion of the $5.4 million left of Dugger’s original base salary of $9.75 million. This arrangement was crucial for finalizing the trade, as it allowed the Steelers to acquire Dugger without straining their salary cap. Additionally, Dugger’s per-game roster bonuses, which can total up to $530,000, will also be affected by this trade structure.
The initial details of the trade involved not just Kyle Dugger, but also a 2026 seventh-round draft pick moving from New England to Pittsburgh in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the same year. The financial concessions made by the Patriots acted as a deal-sweetener, enabling the cap-rich Steelers to absorb Dugger's salary without significant repercussions. However, this move will result in a net loss of cap space for the Patriots, changing the overall financial impact of the trade on their books.
According to salary cap expert Miguel Benzan, the Patriots are projected to lose nearly $8 million in 2025 once the trade is finalized. While this may seem detrimental, the outlook for the subsequent two seasons of Dugger’s original contract extension—signed in 2024—appears more favorable. The Patriots are expected to create savings of $16.9 million in 2026 and $18 million in 2027, providing some relief in the long term.
Dugger, who initially agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract last April, will now become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. Notably, the final two years of his contract have been nullified as part of the trade that sees the 29-year-old safety move to the AFC North. This transition marks a pivotal moment in both Dugger's career and the Patriots’ strategic financial planning.
In conclusion, while the trade of Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers may seem like a loss for the New England Patriots in the short term, the long-term salary cap implications could prove beneficial. As both teams navigate the complexities of the NFL salary cap, it will be interesting to see how this trade impacts their future moves.
