Why Patriots Leader Believes Kyle Dugger Is the Top Safety in the NFL…
‘I joined the team, particularly to share the field with him.’
Just before the Patriots secured a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Thursday Night Football,” Bill Belichick praised Jabrill Peppers and named him as one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Peppers, known for being outspoken, expressed his agreement with his head coach’s assessment, taking it a step further.
“I completely concur with that,” the seasoned defensive back stated following New England’s 21-18 triumph at Acrisure Stadium. “While we need to elevate our performance to improve our (3-10) record, if you review the footage—especially featuring Dugger—I believe he’s the premier player in the league. It’s genuinely been enjoyable playing alongside him.”
Seriously? The best in the league? Without a doubt, according to Peppers.
He admires Dugger’s unique combination of size, versatility, athleticism, and physical prowess. Their collaboration resulted in a turnover on Thursday night, with Dugger applying pressure on Mitchell Trubisky during a safety blitz and intercepting the wobbly throw from the Steelers quarterback.
Dugger and Peppers seldom leave the field for Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo’s defense. Leading up to Thursday night, they boasted snap rates of 97.1% and 95.3%, respectively, the highest among New England defenders.
“He’s a player who excels in man-to-man coverage, deep half coverage, plays effectively in the box, executes blitzes exceptionally well, and is an outstanding tackler,” Peppers praised Dugger. “Playing with him has been truly satisfying. And the rest of the guys, but I’ve been keeping an eye on Dugger since he entered the league in 2020. … I’m just trying to match his intensity.”
Indeed, Peppers disclosed that the chance to partner with Dugger influenced his decision to sign with New England in 2022. Dugger, who also contributed seven tackles, half a sack, and a pass breakup against Pittsburgh, has one year remaining on his Patriots contract. On the other hand, Dugger’s rookie deal concludes in March, and if an extension isn’t reached by then, the 27-year-old would become an unrestricted free agent.
Earlier this season, Belichick emphatically expressed his desire for Dugger to have a long-term stay in New England
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