New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger is reportedly on the trade block. After his slide down the depth chart this preseason, the franchise is shopping Dugger before the roster cut down day on Tuesday, per NFL Network.

After signing a substantial four-year, $58 million contract extension last off-season, the search for a trade partner has become urgent. Dugger, who has been a consistent figure in the starting lineup over five seasons, was unable to secure his starting position for 2025 due to recovery from offseason ankle surgery. Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed this month that the veteran safety has fallen to second-team reps.

“Just making sure that he’s where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do,” Vrabel said this month about Dugger’s demotion. “Keep working and keep progressing. A lot of this is that guys have earned the right to take a look with that first unit and, again, there will be different lineups and different things. Just focus on the reps that you get right now.”

Dugger recorded 81 tackles and a sack last year, and was on track for a career year before his ankle issue sidelined him for four games. Last year marked the first since his rookie season without an interception. The Patriots must finalize their 53-player roster by August 27, and trading Dugger would come with significant financial implications, as they would incur $23.5 million in dead money if he were released. Dugger currently ranks as the second-highest paid player on the Patriots’ roster, a deal made under the previous coaching staff.