The New England Patriots have secured a pivotal addition to their defense, signing safety Kyle Dugger to a four-year, $58 million contract extension, as reported by ESPN on Sunday. This lucrative deal, potentially reaching up to $66 million with bonuses, ensures Dugger remains a cornerstone of the Patriots' secondary.
With $32 million guaranteed, Dugger's average annual salary under the new agreement jumps to $14.5 million, surpassing the $13.8 million he would have earned had he remained under the transition tag. In March, the Patriots strategically assigned him the transition tag to prevent him from entering free agency, a move that ultimately paid off by retaining his talents.
Dugger becomes the only safety among the five players who received the transition tag in the past decade, highlighting his unique value to the team. His new contract places him among the top earners at his position in the National Football League (NFL), with averages that are within the league's top 10 salaries for safeties.
In comparison, standout safety Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers tops the chart with a $19 million salary. Dugger's advancement reflects the Patriots' commitment to building a robust defensive lineup as they eye future successes on the field.
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Patriots reach 4-year, $58 million deal with safety Kyle Dugger
cgtn.com
