The NFL is many things — unpredictable, emotional, relentless. But above all, it’s a business. That’s something Mike Tomlin never lets anyone forget. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, failure to perform isn’t tolerated. Not even in the slightest. Perfection might not be a mandate for the Steelers, but excellence is an expectation. And with the flurry of roster changes the team has made this year, it’s clear there’s little room left for excuses.
So when news broke that Omar Khan and the front office struck a deal with the New England Patriots to acquire safety Kyle Dugger, I wasn’t shocked. I was intrigued — and honestly, a little relieved. It’s a move that feels both smart and necessary.
Most of the $5.4 million remaining on Dugger’s contract will still be covered by New England, leaving Pittsburgh richer in cap flexibility and in safety depth. But here’s the reality: everyone can’t play at once. Someone’s going to lose snaps. And it looks like Juan Thornhill might be the odd man out.
When the Steelers first signed Thornhill, it was seen as a solid pickup. A seven-year veteran with a Super Bowl ring and range in coverage — he brought instant credibility to a secondary in transition. But through seven games, that promise hasn’t translated.
His stat line tells a story that’s hard to ignore: 22 tackles, one pass deflection, and a 146.2 passer rating allowed when targeted. Those are numbers that don’t just raise eyebrows — they raise questions.
Thornhill hasn’t shown the same physical edge that this defense needs near the line of scrimmage. With just one tackle for loss on the season, he’s struggled to make his presence felt. In a defense built on physicality and accountability, that stands out in all the wrong ways.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could replace Juan Thornhill compelely with Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger
Teryl Austin’s unit has already been one of the most inconsistent in football, and Pittsburgh simply can’t afford to have anyone underperforming.
Enter Kyle Dugger.
The six-year veteran brings something Pittsburgh’s defense desperately needs — downhill physicality and a knack for diagnosing plays before they unfold. He’s strong in run support, agile in coverage against tight ends, and fits the mold of a true hybrid safety. And with DeShon Elliott sidelined by a hyperextended knee, Dugger will have a clear opportunity to carve out immediate reps.
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Pairing Dugger with Jabrill Peppers could quietly be the best thing that’s happened to this secondary all season. Both are physical enforcers who thrive in the box and can set the tone early. That kind of intensity will be essential when the Steelers face MVP frontrunner Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts this week.
Taylor’s 1,056 total yards and 14 touchdowns are eye-popping numbers — and stopping him will require every ounce of grit this defense can muster.
The addition of Dugger sends a very clear message: accountability is back in Pittsburgh. For Thornhill, that message may sting, but it’s one he can’t afford to ignore. He’s not being replaced outright — at least not yet — but he’s being challenged.
And maybe that’s exactly what this team needs right now. The Steelers don’t just need more bodies on defense; they need a spark, a wake-up call. Dugger’s arrival could provide both. If he embraces the opportunity, and if Thornhill responds the right way, Pittsburgh’s struggling defense might just rediscover the edge it’s been missing.