Pats' Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings are on trade block

Patriots Report: Patriots’ Kyle Dugger and Anfernee Jennings are on the trade block The Patriots have reportedly made it known that the two veterans are available for trade. Kyle Dugger AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

The Patriots have made a pair of veteran defensive players available for trade, according to Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald.

The team has reportedly discussed moving safety Kyle Dugger, who signed a four-year $58 million contract extension last April, with at least one other team.

They’re also reportedly open to moving linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who was fourth on the team in tackles (78) last season.

Both players played deep into the second half of last Saturday’s preseason win against Minnesota.

Dugger caught an interception on the final play of the game. Veterans of his caliber typically do not play in the fourth quarter of preseason games.

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Jennings recorded three sacks in the game while competing against non-starters from the Vikings, all of which came in the second-half.

Dugger’s slide down the depth chart has been evident in practice as well. Rookie Craig Woodson, and veteran Jaylinn Hawkins have taken turns practicing with the first team alongside Jabrill Peppers.

The Herald reports that Dugger seems to have “lost a step” after recovering from a high ankle sprain during the offseason. Dugger played in all 17 games in 2023, recording 109 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of interceptions. His numbers dipped significantly last year as he missed four games.

Jennings had the best season of his career last year, posting 78 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He has been an asset in the Patriots’ run defense as an edge setter, but with a new coaching staff in town it’s not exactly clear whether he’ll find a place to fit within their scheme.

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Jennings, 27, has two years left on the three-year $12 million contract he signed last year.

The Patriots selected both players in the 2020 draft back when Bill Belichick was head coach. They took Dugger in the second round out of Division II Lenoir Rhyne. They took Jennings in the third round out of Alabama.

Dugger, Jennings, and offensive guard Mike Onwenu are the only players left on the roster from that draft class.

Dugger’s contract is expected to be a “hurdle” in trade talks, Callahan said. He’s the 11th highest paid safety in the league, according to Overthecap.com. Cutting Dugger would result in a dead-cap figure of $23.25 million spread over two seasons, according to Spotrac.

The financial penalty for cutting Jennings would be less severe than Dugger’s situation, with the dead-cap number at $3.35 million over the next two seasons.

The Patriots must trim the roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. next Tuesday. They have a preseason game against the Giants scheduled for Thursday night, and several practices left before they have to make cuts.

Khari A. Thompson Sports Reporter Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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