The Bengals today signed unrestricted free agent S Kyle Dugger to a one-year contract for the 2026 season.
Dugger (6-2, 216), a seventh-year player out of Lenoir-Rhyne University, originally was a second-round draft pick of New England in 2020. He played in 81 games for the Patriots before being traded in October 2025 to Pittsburgh, where he saw action in nine contests. In 90 career regular-season games (78 starts), he has totaled 454 tackles, 27 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 29 PDs, 11 INTs, three FFs and two FRs defensively, along with 29 tackles on special teams.
View the best photos of new S Kyle Dugger.
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) drops into coverage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) returns a kick for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) looks to defend during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 in Foxborough, Mass. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland. (Perry Knotts via AP)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) reacts after a defensive stop during the NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 in Foxborough, Mass. The Seahawks defeated the Patriots 23-20. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) runs on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) is seen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-3. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) walks onto the field prior to the start of the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in Foxborough, Mass. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
