New England Patriots, Kyle Dugger Contract Terms Revealed

The New England Patriots and safety Kyle Dugger agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract extension to keep him in Foxboro through 2027.

Jan 1, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

FOXBORO — Earlier this offseason, New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf advised that the team would be “aggressive” in their efforts to re-sign safety Kyle Dugger. 

By signing him to a four-year, $58 million contract last week, Wolf and the Patriots’ efforts will help keep Dugger both well-paid, and in the Foxboro fold for the foreseeable future. 

While the terms of Dugger’s deal were not initially made available, a Thursday morning report from the Boston Globe revealed that the contract provides for $29.75 million in fully guaranteed money, plus a conditional $2.75 million guarantee in its third season. In total. Dugger will receive $32.5 guaranteed. 

Jan 2, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, Dugger will receive an $18 million signing bonus, up to $34.25 million in salary ($11.75 million of which is guaranteed,) $5 million in per-game bonuses and workout bonuses totaling $750,000.

His maximum cash earnings will be $21 million in 2024, $11 million in 2025,  $12.5 million in 2026 and $13.5 million in 2027. 

Lastly, Dugger’s salary cap numbers are set at $7.5 million for 2024, $15.5 million for 2025, $17 million for 2026 and $18 million for 2027. 

As a result of the reduction in Dugger’s previously expected cap hit of $13.8 million (per the terms of transition tag, with whichNew England placed him last month) Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan has calculated New England’s available cap space at $53,110,975 - an approximate increase of $6.32 million. 

Since joining the team as a second-round (No. 37 overall) draft selection in 2020, Dugger has been one of the team’s most reliable defenders. The 27-year-old led all defensive backs with 109 total tackles, while also compiling seven passes-defensed, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks. Since joining the Patriots, he has appeared in 62 total games (53 starts) while compiling 343 total tackles, nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and scoring three defensive touchdowns.

Dugger, a product of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, brings an excellent blend of speed, length, size to New England’s defensive backfield — both in big-nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six defensive backs) defensive packages. At his best, he is able to cover a lot of ground and has the tools to match up with defenders in coverage. Dugger is also a good tackler, capable of making stops in key situations.

His on-field prowess combined with his on-field leadership and football acumen make him a valuable commodity to the Patriots, and almost certainly worth the investment New England has made to retain his services.