Patriots Rumors: Kyle Dugger Has Contract Offer on Table Ahead of NFL Free Agency

The New England Patriots currently have a contract offer "on the table" for safety Kyle Dugger prior to the start of free agency, according to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.

The 27-year-old has spent all four years of his career in New England, recording a personal-best 109 tackles while starting in all 17 games during the 2023 season.

Kyed noted that Dugger is a candidate to receive a franchise or transition tag, which are worth $17 million and $14 million respectively.

Dugger has blossomed into an extremely versatile safety in New England, remaining effective while being used in varying defensive packages. It's one of the main reasons why he was on the field for a career-high 98 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps last season (per Pro Football Reference).

In addition to his 109 tackles, Dugger also recorded two interceptions and seven passes defensed as well as six tackles for loss. New head coach Jerod Mayo has made it clear that the team wants him to stay in Foxborough, even before the reported offer on Thursday.

"With Dugger, I would say last year going into the season, there were some questions about can he communicate and all those things," Mayo said, via A to Z Sports' Sophie Weller. "He squashed all of that last year. He did a fantastic job in his new role without having Devin [McCourty] there."

It's certainly possible that Dugger chooses to enter free agency, as it seems likely that teams will show interest in signing him. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer revealed that opposing front offices contacted New England about trading for the safety prior to the NFL's trade deadline on Oct. 31 (h/t Nick Gross of NBC Sports).

Dugger could also choose to look for a team that's closer to contending after the Patriots wrapped up a 4-13 season. New England clearly wants him to stay, though.