Dugger was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (37th overall) and has played 81 games with 69 starts for the team. He signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension in the 2024 offseason, with $9.75 million guaranteed for this season. Despite playing last season with a high-ankle sprain that required surgery, Dugger appeared in seven games (four starts) this year, recording 17 tackles.
The trade addresses a need in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary after they moved on from Minkah Fitzpatrick during the offseason. Pittsburgh currently leads the NFL in passing yards allowed, surrendering 273.3 yards per game.
Dugger, 29, was born in Decatur, Georgia, and played college football at Lenoir-Rhyne. At 6’1″ and 216 pounds, he has accumulated 190 career interception return yards and has been a consistent presence in the Patriots’ defensive backfield.
For more on Dugger’s NFL career stats, visit his ESPN player profile or his detailed numbers on Pro Football Reference.