{"id":76166,"date":"2025-08-11T09:14:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=76166"},"modified":"2025-08-11T09:14:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:14:19","slug":"is-one-of-patriots-highest-paid-players-on-the-bubble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=76166","title":{"rendered":"Is one of Patriots\u2019 highest-paid players on the bubble?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Safety Kyle Dugger arrives at practice at New England Patriots mini camp.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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That was the\u00a0case on Sunday\u00a0for\u00a0Kyle Dugger.<\/p>\n

During the 2024 offseason, Dugger signed a 4-year, $58 million contract with the\u00a0Patriots. That included $32.5 million in guaranteed money. This season, Dugger has the second-highest cap hit on the Patriots at $15.264 million.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it was surprising to see him with the second-team defense in Sunday\u2019s practice. Dugger played next to safety Marcus Epps while the top unit featured safeties Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, and the rookie, Woodson.<\/p>\n

At this point, Peppers looks like the Patriots starting strong safety, and Hawkins appears to be the team\u2019s starting free safety.<\/p>\n

Woodson, drafted in the fourth round, almost had the defensive play of the day with a near interception. The rookie has impressed his teammates.<\/p>\n

\u201cCraig, he\u2019s a baller,\u201d Patriots cornerback Alex Austin said. \u201cInstinctive. Smart football player. He\u2019s been picking up the scheme. He\u2019s out there playing ball and having fun. Looking forward to him making some plays for us this year.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Woodson said Dugger and the other veterans have been helpful to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been good,\u201d Woodson said. \u201cThose guys have been in the league for a long time, so just learning from them, asking them questions, being able to hear how they think and process the game. It helps me as a young guy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be interesting to see how this story unfolds this summer.<\/p>\n

Due to Dugger\u2019s contract, it doesn\u2019t make sense for the Patriots to cut the veteran. If they did, they would be stuck with $14.25 million dead money. However, if the Patriots were to trade Dugger, they\u2019d save $10.764 million while incurring $4.5 million in dead money.<\/p>\n

Keeping Dugger also makes sense. The Patriots have solid depth at the safety position. If they were to move on from the veteran, it could mean keeping someone like Epps or Dell Pettus on the safety depth chart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Safety Kyle Dugger arrives at practice at New England Patriots mini camp.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive) That was the\u00a0case on Sunday\u00a0for\u00a0Kyle Dugger. 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