Steelers Make Trade To Bolster Desperate Defense

PITTSBURGH, PA — With the NFL's highest paid defense defense reeling this season, the Steelers late Tuesday made a trade in an attempt to stop the points bonanza they have surrendered over the past several weeks.

The Steelers have acquired safety Kyle Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round pick from the New England Patriots. In return, the Patriots will receive the Steelers' 2026 sixth-round selection.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that New England will pay most of the $5.4 million remaining from Dugger's $9.75 million base salary for 2025. The final two years on his contract have also been wiped out, per Rapoport, meaning Dugger will be a free agent following this season.

A second-round pick in 2020, Dugger has started 69 games, including four this season, and totaled nine interceptions.

The trade occurred after Steelers starting strong safety DeShon Elliott hyperextended his knee in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday described Elliot's status as "week to week."

The Steelers currently have the NFL's highest paid defense at $168 million. Yet according to ESPN, the Steelers rank 32nd in passing yards per game (273.3), 30th in total yards allowed (386), 24th in third-down conversion percentage (41.84%) and 22nd in points per game (25.0).

The 4-3 Steelers will play the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.