Per MassLive’s Karen Guregian, the New England Patriots reportedly “have an offer on the table” for pending free agent safety Kyle Dugger.
It’s no surprise that the Patriots would be moving this soon to secure an extension for Dugger, who has been one of the team’s best defensive players in recent years. He stepped up in a big way as the leader in the defensive backfield last season, following Devin McCourty’s retirement. So the Patriots are hoping to keep the defensive nucleus intact moving into 2024.
But they aren’t the only team vying for Dugger’s services.
The question was never about whether the Patriots would extend an offer to their starting safety. It was more about whether those numbers aligned with how Dugger views himself on the open market.
Perhaps the offer is sufficient enough for Dugger to put pen to paper before the start of free agency, or he could keep it in his back pocket and see what else is out there when he starts talking to other teams.
Keep in mind, the Patriots are also prioritizing an extension for offensive guard/tackle Mike Onwenu, along with a bevy of other moves needed to help fill major holes on the roster.
The Patriots would love to have Dugger back on a new deal, but depending on how the market for his services unfolds, one has to wonder if he could potentially price himself out of a return.
