Patriots Safety Kyle Dugger Shockingly Loses Starting Reps in 2025 Training Camp

New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger is facing an unexpected challenge this preseason. Despite being a starter since midway through his rookie season in 2020 and signing a four-year, $58 million contract last spring, Dugger has been taking reps with the backups during 2025 training camp.

The shift highlights that new head coach Mike Vrabel is carving his own path and not tied to previous staff decisions. When asked about Dugger’s role, Vrabel emphasized fundamentals and consistent effort:

"Just making sure that he's where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do," Vrabel said. "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, 29, is coming off ankle surgery and struggled last season while playing through injuries. Vrabel praised his attitude but acknowledged that Dugger has been outperformed by other safeties so far this camp:

"He's had a long recovery in the offseason. He's been out there, and he's continued to get better and work, and I think the more that he practices, the better he's going to feel and the more that it's going to translate onto the football field."

The Patriots have options at safety. Jaylinn Hawkins is pushing for the starting spot opposite Jabrill Peppers, while rookie Craig Woodson has also seen reps with the first team.

What This Means for the Patriots

For Dugger, this demotion could signal a pivotal moment in his career. New coaches often reevaluate veterans, and if Dugger doesn’t regain his starting role, he could become a trade or cut candidate before the Aug. 26 roster deadline, even with dead money considerations. For the Patriots, the competition at safety shows Vrabel’s commitment to building a defense based on current performance, not reputation. Fans should expect a competitive camp and potentially significant changes in the secondary’s lineup for Week 1.