NFL Trade Deadline Rumors: Patriots ‘Open To Moving’ Star Safety

The Patriots roster is bereft of talent, and they seem to be active in the trade market.

New England traded Joshua Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn have been involved in trade rumors. Defensive players like Davon Godchaux and Jonathan Jones also have been discussed in trade rumors. That also came as the Patriots reportedly are looking to improve their offensive line and wide receiver corps in the trade market.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini offered intel on the weekend before the NFL trade deadline. She included the aforementioned wide receivers and Godchaux, and she also noted that the Patriots were “open to moving” Kyle Dugger.

Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million contract last offseason after New England used the transition tag on the safety. The deal included $32.5 million in guarantees and an $18 million signing bonus.

The Uche trade proved the Patriots weren’t afraid to ship off players who they extended in the offseason. It’s unknown how intent they are in trading Dugger, and it could be executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and his staff trying to see how much value they can get from the 28-year-old in the trade market.

Dugger was named team captain after Ja’Whaun Bentley was placed on injured reserve. The fifth-year safety missed two games this season due to injury, and he’s recorded 35 combined tackles and a forced fumble in six games.