Bengals’ under-the-radar free agent signing could create competition Cincinnati would prefer not to have
Kyle Dugger could become more than who the Cincinnati Bengals bargained for. If Jordan Battle doesn’t take an expected leap, the 30-year old vet becomes quite the contingency plan.
The Cincinnati Bengals started their offseason signing safety Bryan Cook away from the Kansas City Chiefs. Cook is not the only new veteran safety in the locker room.
Kyle Dugger, formerly of the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Bengals back in April. The deal does not compare in any way to Cook’s three-year, $40.25 million contract, but it was only a couple years ago Dugger signed for nearly $15 million a year with the team that drafted him.
Dugger is far from a bottom-of-the-roster player taking a prove-it deal. He was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Patriots, drafted just a handful of spots after the Bengals picked Tee Higgins. He came out of college as a height-weight-speed freak and logged seven interceptions in his first three years in a Bill Belichick defense.
His recent years haven’t been ideal, with coaching changes and therefore role changes, but Dugger was once a cornerstone of a quality defense. Now he’s on his third team within the last 12 months.
And yet, there’s a real chance Dugger can impact Cincinnati’s defense more than he’s expecting.
The Bengals still have a big question at safety
Cincinnati hasn’t had quality safety play since Jessie Bates departed and Vonn Bell was still in the prime of his career. The position has been a revolving door, and the guy in front of Dugger on the depth chart, Jordan Battle, has been heavily impacted by it all.
Battle is entering his fourth year with the Bengals, and second year as a starter. His 2025 tape was full of inconsistencies despite causing six turnovers, but I also believe Battle has been given a bad hand. He was rotting on the bench for most of his first two years despite shoddy safety play on the field courtesy of Nick Scott, and Vonn Bell. By the time he became a full-time starter in 2025, the lack of on-field development was apparent.
I give Battle grace for that. Conversely, the excuses have expired entering this season. He’s set to play for a second contract, and with a veteran in Dugger now behind him, the pressure should be turned up.
Kyle Dugger’s presence could lead to unexpected competition
Battle is entering the training camp as the starter next to Cook. That is not up for debate. The plan is for Battle to start while Dugger comes onto the field with him in certain packages. He was at his best in New England playing closer to the line of scrimmage, and can help out covering the slot.
Battle’s hold on the starting gig is entirely up to him. If he doesn’t progress from where he was in 2025, then Dugger’s role could become a lot larger.
Dugger could start over Battle at some point this year. I don’t think the Bengals want this to happen, as they envision a defense in which both coexist, and Battle continues his growth as a homegrown player.
But if Battle struggles early, the Bengals now have a capable veteran breathing down his neck. Dugger has thousands of snaps to his name across multiple defenses. He even picked off Joe Flacco and returned it for a touchdown with the Steelers last season. He can play, and he can push Battle if needed.
Be sure to watch the safety position during training camp
A lot of the attention surrounding the Bengals’ defense this summer will center on the nickelback spot. Don’t sleep on where Dugger lines up, and how Battle looks with better players surrounding him.
Battle is entering a contract year, and I’m not sure Cincinnati is ready to extend him despite coaches raving about him earlier in the offseason. The Bengals still have more pressing extension decisions to make with DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, and Myles Murphy on the defensive side alone.
Dugger can become more valuable for the Bengals than his contract indicates. If Battle takes the expected leap, the 30-year old vet plays out his role as expected. If Battle doesn’t, the Bengals have a contingency plan they didn’t have a year ago.