The Cincinnati Bengals spent the offseason looking for solutions in a secondary that too usually appeared misplaced a yr in the past. In keeping with Fox Sports activities insider Jordan Schultz, one among their most missed options may already be within the constructing.
In a latest publish on X, Schultz listed his high 10 “under-the-radar” free-agent signings of the offseason, and the ultimate identify on the checklist was Bengals security Kyle Dugger, a veteran defender Cincinnati quietly added in April.
Schultz described the checklist as gamers “who could have a much bigger impact this year than we might even realize right now.”
That chance makes loads of sense for a Bengals protection that desperately wanted extra physicality, versatility, and expertise on the again finish.
Dugger arrived in Cincinnati after a turbulent 2025 season that was break up between New England and Pittsburgh. The previous second-round pick of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne spent the primary five-plus seasons of his profession with the Patriots earlier than being traded to the Steelers halfway by final season.
Bengals followers will bear in mind him nicely.
In Week 11 of final season, Dugger intercepted a Joe Flacco go and returned it for a landing in Pittsburgh’s win over the Bengals. It was one among two interceptions he recorded after becoming a member of the Steelers, the place he rapidly stepped into a serious function following accidents within the secondary. Dugger completed the season with 59 tackles and 5 go breakups.
However the intrigue surrounding Dugger goes past uncooked numbers.
At his finest, Dugger has proven the flexibility to be one of many NFL’s extra versatile safeties, a downhill hitter able to enjoying within the field, overlaying tight ends, blitzing, and creating turnovers. In 2022, he earned a 78.4 grade from Professional Soccer Focus, the most effective mark of his profession.
The Bengals are betting that participant remains to be there.
Cincinnati has aggressively rebuilt its protection this offseason, including gamers like Bryan Prepare dinner, Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, and Dugger in an effort to repair a unit that completed close to the underside of the league in nearly each main class final season.
And in contrast to a number of the splashier additions, Dugger comes at virtually no monetary threat. In keeping with Spotrac, Dugger agreed to a one-year deal value simply over $1.4 million.
For a participant with 81 profession video games, 11 interceptions, practically 500 profession tackles, and confirmed beginning expertise, that has the potential to develop into one of many offseason’s largest bargains.
The largest query is match.
The Bengals already signed former Chiefs security Bryan Prepare dinner earlier in free company, whereas Jordan Battle stays within the combine as nicely. Dugger now enters camp competing for snaps in what all of a sudden seems like one of many extra crowded security rooms Cincinnati has had because the Jessie Bates period.
That competitors could also be precisely what defensive coordinator Al Golden desires.
Dugger brings toughness and flexibility to a protection that has lacked each at occasions. If he can rediscover the shape he confirmed earlier in his profession, Schultz’s “under-the-radar” label might not final very lengthy.
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A house opener in Week 1 could be superior. These are all groups Cincinnati might open at dwelling with:
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