There were several players on the current Patriots' roster who needed to have an impressive game in the preseason finale to lock up a spot on this year's roster, or at the very least, have Mike Vrabel reconsider their future as a likely cut candidate.
Among the most obvious was longtime starting safety Kyle Dugger, who quickly fell down the depth chart over the summer to the point of working with the second-team defense at training camp in the days leading to Thursday's game. That seemed to prove reports that he was on the trade block, but his performance against the Giants might have changed his fate.
All signs pointed to Dugger playing on another team in 2025, and while that could still be true, he appeared to shut down any conversation about the kind of player that he is and could be for the Patriots (or another team) this upcoming season.
He accomplished that by recording six combined tackles, two passes defended, and an interception, prompting Vrabel to rave about him after the game.
Mike Vrabel was extremely complimentary of Kyle Dugger postgame, saying he’s continued to improve after offseason ankle surgery:
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) August 22, 2025
“…I think that he’s gotten better. I think he’s improved. I think he’s feeling better. It looks like he’s feeling better on tape. And so that’s good… pic.twitter.com/OIvp6X82ot
Given how he started the week and seeing where he ended it, there's reason to believe that Dugger secured a spot on the Patriots' roster for this season beyond any doubt.
Kyle Dugger came to play for the Patriots in their final preseason game and might have locked up a spot on the roster
There was a lot of chatter regarding the new regime possibly trading Dugger ahead of the season opener in a few weeks, despite many scratching their heads about how his spot on the roster appeared to diminish over the last few weeks.
His performance in recent years led him to sign an extension last offseason, and he has consistently demonstrated his value to the team over the last five years, continuing to lead a dominating secondary. But a misdiagnosed injury last year, among other possible factors, led to a lackluster season that put him on the outs heading into training camp.
Dugger has made it clear he is well aware that he has a lot of improving to do, but is not letting the negativity and the conversation about him potentially being traded distract him from the task at hand, and that was proven with his production against the Giants, even if it was against mostly their backups.
Kyle Dugger postgame:
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) August 22, 2025
- Trying not to think about being put out there late in preseason games
- Asked if he feels good about what he’s put on tape, said, “Naw, I have a lot more to improve on”
- No dialogue between him and coaches about playing late into preseason games
- No… pic.twitter.com/r7448xUfTf
Maintaining this mindset and building upon the performance he had on Thursday is exactly what Dugger needs to do moving forward. There's no reason for him not to have a role on the Patriots' defense this fall or in the future, even if it's not as a consistent starter, and he just proved that again.
It couldn't have come at a better time, as his New England future has appeared far from certain over the last few weeks. That might have changed now, and it wouldn't be surprising if he makes the team when roster cuts are due next Tuesday. And for the most part, it shouldn't be a question if he is on the roster or not at this point.