Steelers Lose Safety Dugger to Bengals

0:00It's April 2nd. You're listening to NFL News today. AI-powered NFL coverage. Pittsburgh Steelers are shaking up their secondary big time for the 2026 season, letting go of several veteran defensive backs. They already saw a cornerback James Pierre head to the Minnesota Vikings and replaced Safety Chuck Clark with your Kwan Briskar. Now the latest move hits close to home. As Safety Kyle Duggers signing a one-year deal with AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals, for his agent Drew, Rosenhaus, earlier this week, were broke from Adam Schefter confirming the deal. An institution, Steelers grabbed Dugger from the New England Patriots right before the 2025 trade deadline, basically for a six-round pick and getting. A seventh-rounder back in return. He flashed early, but struggled in a starting role after Deshaun Elliott went down. Fans are buzzing about the depth hit of safety, especially with two matchups against those Bengals next year. Peter brought solid backup value, and losing him leaves the Steelers thin behind Elliott

1:02and Briskar. It could bite them if injuries strike again. Right now, Pittsburgh only has three safeties locked in, starters Elliott and Briskar. Plus second-year guys Sebastian Castro on a reserve futures deal. They're chasing a contract with former first-rounder Darnell Savage, but nothing signed yet. Free agency is drying up with mostly old vets left. That points to the 2026 draft, where top safety prospects like Ohio State's Caleb Downs, Oregon's Dillent the Enemen, and others could fill. The gap. Steelers will need to move smart to rebuild that room without regrets down the line.