The Pittsburgh Steelers were aggressive in their pursuit of acquiring outside talent in the first wave of free agency. Their top moves included trading for veteran wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signing players such as cornerback Jamel Dean, running back Rico Dowdle, and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
But one thing they showed little interest in doing was retaining their own free agents.
After the dust had long settled on the initial wave of free agency, an AFC North opponent poached a 2025 Steelers starter. On Thursday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Cincinnati Bengals are signing safety Kyle Dugger.
Dugger was acquired by the Steelers at the NFL trade deadline last season. After leaving New England and joining Pittsburgh, the veteran and former 37th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft went on to start all nine games for the Steelers in the second half of the season.
Dugger finished the year with 42 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and two interceptions—one of which was returned for a 73-yard defensive touchdown. While he proved inconsistent, Dugger was a respectable replacement for strong safety DeShon Elliott, who suffered multiple early-season injuries and was shut down for the year after Week 8.
The Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn't sweat the Cincinnati Bengals signing Kyle Dugger
Though the Bengals are an AFC North rival that stands to be much more competitive with a healthy Joe Burrow in 2026, Steelers fans shouldn't worry about Dugger spurning Pittsburgh in free agency for Cincinnati. Though he had some excellent seasons with the Patriots early in his career, he's been a below-average starter over the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, the Steelers got younger, faster, and better at the safety position in free agency. As a trio of 30-plus-year-olds in Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, and Chuck Clark are out the door, Pittsburgh signed former Bears starting safety Jaquan Brisker and added depth with former Packers first-round pick Darnell Savage.
These additions hardly make the Steelers' safety room elite, but they are on track to join Elliott and Jalen Ramsey, for what should at least make a respectable room with loads of experience in 2026.
Dugger made some nice splash plays in roughly half a season with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, but he's a replacement-level safety who shouldn't be a major threat despite landing with an AFC North rival. If his inconsistencies in coverage continue—as they have for a few years now—that's the Bengals' problems to deal with.