It’s been an offseason of change under new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
After Vrabel and the Patriots spent the offseason moving on from players who had won a Super Bowl with the franchise — like cornerback Jonathan Jones, defensive end Deatrich Wise, center David Andrews and long snapper Joe Cardona — safety Kyle Dugger, drafted in 2020, became the longest-tenured player on the roster.
“It happened fast. From my rookie year to now, it’s been a flash,” Dugger told reporters Tuesday. “It makes me feel good to be with the organization for that long and it just lets me know as a leader, my role.”
Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Patriots last offseason, but his first year under the new deal was a disappointment. Dugger ranked last among qualified safeties with a 44.3 defensive PFF grade. He was also last in PFF’s coverage grade.
It didn’t help that the 29-year-old safety suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and tried to play through it for most of the season. When asked for an update on the bone bruise and high ankle sprain, the 2024 captain said the injury is doing “well.”
“Not really looking back to last year,” Dugger said. “Kinda put it in the back of my mind and looking forward to moving on.”
Dugger feels he’s a good fit in Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams’ new scheme. It’s unclear what role he’ll play in a suddenly crowded safety room. Veteran Marcus Epps and fourth-round pick Craig Woodson joined a group that already included Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Marte Mapu.
“I want to be violent and aggressive, just like they want to be. So, I would say that fits my play style pretty good.”
The veteran defensive back said the new regime has a “high emphasis on connectivity” with coaches learning about the roster as individuals.
If Dugger can rediscover his level of play from early in his career, it would give the Patriots’ defense the boost it needs to be a strength this season.
