Kyle Dugger Bio
Kyle Dugger is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 22, 1996, in Decatur, Georgia, Dugger attended Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, before playing college football at Lenoir–Rhyne University, an NCAA Division II program in Hickory, North Carolina. The New England Patriots selected Dugger in the second round (37th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted player in Lenoir–Rhyne University history. In April 2024, the Patriots signed Dugger to a four-year contract extension worth $58 million. In October 2025, the Patriots traded Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Dugger grew up in Decatur, Georgia, and attended Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Georgia. During his high school years, Dugger primarily focused on basketball and did not join the football team until his senior year. His late start to organized football meant he entered college with less experience than many of his peers, yet his athletic ability attracted attention from several programs.
Dugger received scholarship offers from three colleges following his high school graduation. Lenoir–Rhyne University, an NCAA Division II program in North Carolina, offered him a roster spot along with NCAA Division III member Berry College and NAIA member Reinhardt University. Despite the opportunities at larger programs, Dugger chose Lenoir–Rhyne, where he believed he could develop his skills and potentially earn an opportunity at the next level.
Path to Professional Football
After redshirting his freshman year at Lenoir–Rhyne, Dugger became an immediate starter in the Bears secondary during his redshirt freshman season. He began his college career playing cornerback before transitioning to safety before his sophomore season. A meniscus injury caused him to redshirt during his sophomore year, but he returned to form and recorded three interceptions and three fumble recoveries during his junior season.
Dugger emerged as a dynamic playmaker during his senior season in 2019. He showcased his versatility by returning two punts for touchdowns within a seven-minute span during a game against Virginia–Wise. His outstanding performance earned him the Cliff Harris Award in 2019, which is presented annually to the best small-school defensive player in college football. Scouts praised his speed and field instincts, projecting him as a potential safety, cornerback, or return specialist at the professional level.
Dugger also participated in the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he continued to impress NFL scouts with his athletic ability and football intelligence. Prior to the NFL Draft, most analysts projected Dugger as a late second-round or early third-round pick. He was ranked as the second-best strong safety in the draft by Draftscout.com and the third-best safety prospect by Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
Kyle Dugger Career
New England Patriots (2020–2025)
The New England Patriots selected Kyle Dugger in the second round (37th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He became the first player chosen in that draft who played outside Division I FBS and marked the first time in 18 years a player from Lenoir–Rhyne was drafted, following John Milem in 2002. On May 20, 2020, the Patriots signed Dugger to a four-year contract worth $8.33 million, including $4.60 million guaranteed and a $3.61 million signing bonus.
Throughout his rookie training camp, Dugger competed for the backup safety position against veterans Adrian Phillips, Terrence Brooks, and Cody Davis. When starting strong safety Patrick Chung opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, head coach Bill Belichick named Dugger the primary backup safety. He made his regular-season debut on September 13, 2020, in the Patriots’ home opener against the Miami Dolphins and earned his first career start on November 15, 2020. As a rookie, Dugger appeared in 14 games with 7 starts, recording 64 combined tackles.
In 2021, Dugger continued to develop as a key component of the Patriots’ secondary. He recorded his first career interception on October 17, 2021, picking off a pass from Dak Prescott during a game against the Dallas Cowboys. He followed that with another interception the next week against the New York Jets and finished the season with a career-high four interceptions, 92 combined tackles, and five pass deflections in 15 games. The Patriots finished 10–7 and qualified for the playoffs, where Dugger made his postseason debut against the Buffalo Bills.
The 2022 season saw Dugger establish himself as a playmaker with multiple touchdowns. He returned a fumble recovery 59 yards for his first career touchdown against the Detroit Lions and recorded his first career sack on Zach Wilson of the New York Jets. His most memorable moment came in Week 15 when he returned an interception 69 yards for a pick-six against the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished the 2022 season leading the league with three defensive touchdowns (two interceptions, one fumble recovery), earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He recorded 78 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and three interceptions in 15 games with 15 starts.
In 2023, Dugger started all 17 games and set a career-high with 15 combined tackles against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. He finished the season with 100 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, two interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. In March 2024, the Patriots placed the transition tag on Dugger, offering him a one-year contract worth $13.18 million. On April 9, 2024, the Patriots signed him to a four-year contract extension worth $58 million with $32.50 million guaranteed.
The 2024 season marked Dugger’s final year with the Patriots before the trade. He recorded his only sack of the season in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks and finished the season with 81 combined tackles, four pass deflections, and one sack in 13 games with 13 starts. In his final seven games with the team, Dugger recorded 17 tackles before being traded.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2025–Present)
On October 30, 2025, the New England Patriots traded Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The Steelers amended the final two years of Dugger’s contract, allowing him to become a free agent after the season. In his Steelers debut against his former team, Dugger recorded three tackles and an interception that he returned for a 74-yard touchdown in a 34–12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.
Playing Style and Strengths
Dugger is known for his versatility and athleticism, capable of playing multiple positions in the defensive backfield. His speed allows him to cover ground quickly and make plays on the ball in the passing game. Scouts have praised his field instincts and ability to read quarterbacks, which has translated into multiple interceptions and pass deflections throughout his career. He demonstrates physicality against the run and has shown the ability to deliver hard hits when filling lanes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Dugger has established himself as a defensive playmaker with a knack for scoring touchdowns. His 2022 season stands out as he led the league with three defensive touchdowns. His first career pick-six came against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, and he followed that with another touchdown return against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 of that season. His 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in his Steelers debut against the Bengals showcased his continued ability to make game-changing plays.
Kyle Dugger Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Kyle Dugger has established himself as a productive safety with consistent tackle numbers and a gift for creating turnovers. His ability to score touchdowns sets him apart as a defensive playmaker who can change the outcome of games with a single play.
NFL Career Highlights
In five-plus NFL seasons, Dugger has appeared in 87 career games with 67 starts. He has recorded 483 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 29 pass deflections. His four defensive touchdowns rank among the highest for any safety in the league during his tenure. Dugger recorded a career-high 100 combined tackles during the 2023 season and has consistently forced turnovers, with at least two interceptions in three of his five full seasons.
Career Totals by Category
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 483 |
| Sacks | 4.5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 3 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 2 |
| Pass Deflections | 29 |
| Interceptions | 11 |
| Defensive Touchdowns | 4 |
Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding Kyle Dugger’s family background. He was born in Decatur, Georgia, and attended Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, though details about his parents or siblings have not been widely reported in public sources. His family background has remained private throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Dugger has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout his NFL career. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made public. He continues to focus on his professional career while maintaining connections to his Georgia roots and his alma mater at Lenoir–Rhyne University.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with Dugger still with the New England Patriots after signing his lucrative contract extension in April 2024. He started the season as the de facto starting strong safety under new defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington and was paired with Jabrill Peppers in the defensive backfield. Dugger recorded his only sack of the season in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, bringing down Geno Smith for a four-yard loss during an overtime loss.
Dugger battled injuries throughout the first half of the season, missing games in Week 5 due to an ankle injury and subsequently being sidelined for three additional games (Weeks 8–10) with the same injury. Despite the setbacks, he managed to record 81 combined tackles, four pass deflections, and one sack in 13 games with 13 starts before his mid-season departure.
The trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 30, 2025, marked a new chapter in Dugger’s career. Teaming with the Steelers’ defensive unit, he made an immediate impact in his debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording three tackles and returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the 34–12 victory. The play demonstrated that Dugger had recovered fully from his earlier injuries and remained a dynamic playmaker capable of changing games at any moment. His acquisition gave the Steelers an experienced safety with proven ability to create turnovers and score points for the defense.