Bengals Player Profile: Kyle Dugger brings plenty of veteran savvy to a position in desperate need of it
There’s an argument for Dugger being the most underrated signing Cincinnati made this past spring. He can start when needed, but will be a vital role player off the bench for whatever the Bengals need throughout the season.
We’re 38 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Every day leading up to roster cutdown day, we’ll be going over one member of the Bengals’ 90-man roster. Check out previous player profiles here.
The next player in the countdown was a former long-term starter under inordinate pressure in just his second season.
Kyle Dugger Player Profile
Age: 30
Year: 7th
Position: Safety
College: Lenoir-Rhyne
Jersey Number: 29
Kyle Dugger was originally selected with the No. 37 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Prior to the NFL, Dugger spent six years at Lenoir-Rhyne (2014-19) and played in 42 games. He earned the Cliff Harris Award, given to the best defensive player in NCAA Division II, as a senior in 2019.
New England started Dugger for seven games as a rookie and fully featured him all over the defensive backfield in his second year. The decision paid off as he hauled in four interceptions. He registered three more in 2022, taking an NFL-best two to the house, and completed his first 17-game season in 2023. He signed a four-year, $58 million contract with the Patriots a month after being designated with the transition tag.
Dugger’s time with the Pats would only last another 1.5 seasons before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the middle of 2025. He played nine games for Pittsburgh and notched two interceptions, including his third-career pick-six which came at the hands of Joe Flacco and the Bengals.
Contract details
Dugger signed a one-year, $1,402,500 free agent contract with the Bengals this offseason. His base salary for 2026 is $1,215,000, the minimum for a player of his experience. He also received a $75,000 signing bonus, and a $25,000 workout bonus on top of an $87,500 roster bonus should he make the team. His cash figure amounts to $1,402,500, but since his deal qualifies for the Veteran Salary Benefit, his salary cap hit for the year is $1,262,500.
Roster outlook
There’s an argument for Dugger being the most underrated signing Cincinnati made this past spring. The Bengals have had horrific safety play in recent years, and while Bryan Cook is starting thanks to his three-year, $40,250,000 deal, Dugger is significantly cheaper and has played quality football for a longer stretch of time.
The 30-year old vet has played in nearly 100 games and has taken on a variety of roles in multiple secondaries. He can start when needed, but will be a vital role player off the bench for whatever Cincy needs throughout the season.
I expect to see Dugger utilized close to the line of scrimmage, where he was at his best under Bill Belichick in New England. He’s firmly the third safety on this roster.
Roster odds: 100%