Introduction
Kyle Dugger has emerged as one of the more intriguing safeties in recent NFL seasons. From carving his path from a small school to earning a major contract, and facing injury setbacks, Dugger’s story is layered with both promise and challenge.
1. Injury History & Current Status
The health of a player like Kyle Dugger impacts not only his availability but his role and value.
Key injury notes:
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Dugger missed games in 2024 due to an ankle injury. He was inactive in a key matchup for New England Patriots because of a knee issue.
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A longer-term evaluation: In the 2024 season, Dugger appeared in 13 games with 13 starts, after previously having higher availability.
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As of 2025, Dugger was traded from the Patriots to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in part due to changing role and availability issues.
Implications:
Injuries have chipped away at the consistency of Dugger’s tenure as a full-time starter. For fantasy football, roster building or team evaluations, his injury history introduces some risk. That said, his prior availability and role suggest he has shown durability across earlier seasons.
2. Contract Details & Recent Movement
Understanding Dugger’s contract gives insight into how his team values him and their expectations.
Contract summary:
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Dugger signed a four-year extension with the Patriots on April 9, 2024, worth $58 million with approximately $32.5 million guaranteed.
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The contract potential reportedly could go up to $66 million.
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According to Spotrac, Dugger’s average yearly salary in the deal is about $14.5 million.
Recent move:
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On October 28, 2025, the Patriots traded Dugger to the Steelers in exchange for a sixth-round pick (and sending a seventh-round pick).
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Under the new arrangement, the Patriots reportedly will absorb a sizable portion of Dugger’s salary/cap hit, making this a cost-efficient move for Pittsburgh.
Why it matters:
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The size of the extension shows the Patriots viewed Dugger as a long-term piece (in 2024).
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The trade and contract restructure suggest a shift in how he fits into the team’s plans, especially after injuries and scheme changes.
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For teams evaluating free-agent safety value, Dugger’s deal is a benchmark for top-tier safeties — but the movement flags caution.
3. Madden 26 Rating & Virtual Representation
Gamers often look at how players are rated in Madden as a proxy for real-world perception. Dugger has seen several ratings.
Madden 26 Rating:
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According to EA’s official site, Dugger has an overall rating of 77 in Madden 26.
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Another source (MaddenRatings.com) lists Dugger at 80 overall, with his archetype as “Run Support”. His best attribute is Hit Power (88) and Jumping (92).
Interpretation:
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A 77–80 rating places Dugger in the middle tier of starting safeties in Madden.
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His high Jumping and Hit Power reflect his physical skill-set and athletic background.
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The “Run Support” archetype signals that Madden sees his strength as being in the box and near the line, rather than purely deep coverage.
Takeaway for gamers or simulation players:
If you play as Dugger in Madden 26, expect a physically strong safety, good for tackling and run-defense, but not necessarily elite in deep coverage or pass deflection compared to top rated safeties (~90+ range). The rating also mirrors his real-world fluctuations: huge upside, some question marks.
4. Career Stats, Performance & Outlook
Let’s look at how Dugger has produced on the field, what his strengths are, and what might hold him back.
Stats overview:
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According to his Wikipedia summary (up to 2024): 424 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 24 pass deflections, 9 interceptions, and 3 defensive touchdowns.
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PlayerProfiler lists his athletic metrics: 40-yard dash 4.49 seconds, speed score 106.8, burst 138.4.
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Pro Football Focus grade for 2024 was very low: 44.3, ranking 158th out of 171 safeties.
Strengths:
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Athleticism: Dugger’s speed and burst are above average for his position.
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Big-play ability: He has multiple defensive touchdowns (interceptions or fumble recoveries returned) which shows playmaking.
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Versatility: His archetype and usage suggest he can play in run support and some coverage, giving teams flexibility.
Challenges / Areas for improvement:
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Consistency: The PFF grade of 44.3 in 2024 is a concern and suggests performance slipped.
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Coverage skills: While physical, Dugger may lag top safeties in pure coverage metrics or zone-control.
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Health & role: With recent injuries and a trade, his role may shift, which could impact his statistical output.
Future outlook:
With the trade to Pittsburgh, Dugger gets a fresh opportunity. If he stays healthy and adapts to the Steelers’ system, he could rebound toward the level of play that earned his big contract. For fantasy players or team evaluators, his upside is still present — but so are the risks.
Conclusion
Kyle Dugger is a compelling player: talented, richly compensated, but facing headwinds in terms of performance and fit. His injury history, combined with a middling Madden 26 rating and the recent trade, suggest a transitional phase in his career. That said, for teams or gamers who like high-ceiling safeties, Dugger remains an intriguing option.
FAQs
Q1: What is Kyle Dugger’s Madden 26 overall rating?
A1: Officially 77 overall according to EA. Other sources list 80 with specific attribute breakdowns.
Q2: How long is Kyle Dugger’s contract and how much is it worth?
A2: He signed a four-year extension in April 2024 worth $58 million, with about $32.5 million guaranteed.
Q3: Has Kyle Dugger been traded?
A3: Yes. On October 28, 2025, he was traded from the New England Patriots to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Q4: What injuries has Dugger had?
A4: He had ankle and knee injuries (including an ankle sprain in 2024) which led to missed games and reduced snaps.
Q5: What distinguishes Dugger’s style of play?
A5: Dugger excels in run support, has strong hit-power and jumping ability, and offers versatility. Where he may lag is in elite zone coverage and consistency – but his athletic tools are clear.
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