Change is imperative — especially in the NFL. This season, it feels unavoidable for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Every season brings new faces, new expectations, and new challenges. But this year, those changes have come with a purpose. General Manager Omar Khan’s “Super Bowl or bust” mentality has defined the 2025 campaign, and a fresh haul of All-Pros has set the tone for what’s shaping up to be one of the league’s most resilient rosters.
Veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Jalen Ramsey have pushed the Steelers to a noteworthy — but far from perfect — mark halfway through the season. It’s required resilience, endurance, and a level of teamwork that Pittsburgh fans have come to expect under Mike Tomlin’s leadership.
But on Sunday, that formula received an extra spark from a surprising source: recently acquired six-year veteran safety Kyle Dugger. He was the best trade Pittsburgh never knew they needed.
It’s hard to mince words when players make an immediate impact, and Tomlin didn’t even try. Following the Steelers’ 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on a short week, the head coach made sure Dugger received the recognition he deserved.
“Can’t say enough about Kyle Dugger,” Tomlin told reporters after the game. “[I] just gave him the game ball in there. This guy got on a moving train and played a lot of defense for us today — and we needed it.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers must lean on Kyle Dugger often in the second half of the season
There were no lies told. Dugger’s performance against one of the AFC’s top-ranked offenses was nothing short of impressive. He played 53 snaps at free safety, 19 in the box, and five in the slot — a testament to his versatility and understanding of a complex defensive system he joined just days earlier.
Dugger's physicality stood out, his instincts were sharp, and his leadership was evident even in a limited time with the team. It’s rare for a midseason acquisition to look so comfortable, but Dugger fit in seamlessly, as though he had been part of the Steel Curtain all along.
Even All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has seen his share of elite defenders, took notice.
“I give him a lot of credit,” Rodgers said postgame. “It’s not easy to step into this defense and play with confidence, especially on a short week. He brought energy we really needed.”
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That energy helped Pittsburgh fill the void left by injured safety DeShon Elliott, a key contributor whose absence could have left the secondary exposed. Instead, Dugger turned a potential weakness into a point of strength. His play steadied the defense, allowing Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick to move more freely and helping Pittsburgh’s pass rush pin its ears back.
For the Steelers, the win did more than improve their record — it restored confidence. It showed that the “next man up” mentality still runs deep through the locker room. It reminded fans and players alike that success in the NFL isn’t about perfection, but progression.
And for Mike Tomlin, it was validation of a culture he’s built for over a decade — one where accountability, preparation, and belief in each other matter more than headlines.
Pittsburgh took an incremental step toward greatness Sunday. It began with a midseason trade for Kyle Dugger. The rest, as Tomlin might say, is the beautiful chaos of football.