Dugger had been on the trade block for weeks during a difficult summer for the team’s longest-tenured player. The Patriots engaged in trade talks with multiple teams, but were not close on a deal through Tuesday morning, per source.

It’s believed the Patriots could re-engage in trade talks midseason, assuming Dugger’s play continues to improve as it did over the past week. His spot on the team is not a given for the rest of the season, according to a source.

This summer, Dugger’s sizable contract affected his trade value. Interested teams felt reluctant to take on the remaining three years of the four-year, $58 million extension he signed last season, per source, and that was to blame for the gap in trade talks. Dugger is also coming off a poor 2024 season when he played on a misdiagnosed high ankle sprain and was slow to recover this year.

By the time he hit the field this summer, Dugger tumbled down the depth chart over a matter of four weeks. He opened training camp on the Patriots’ starting defense and eventually slid down to the scout team. Dugger also saw extensive action in the Patriots’ final preseason games, playing until the final gun at Minnesota and deep into the second half against the Giants in the team’s preseason finale last Thursday.

After Thursday’s exhibition, Dugger spoke about the difficulty adjusting to the Patriots’ new defensive scheme under head coach Mike Vrabel.

Following Tuesday’s roster cuts, the Patriots’ safety depth now appears to be Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler.