Patriots Trade Defensive End Keion White to 49ers, Safety Kyle Dugger to Steelers

The New England Patriots traded away two former defensive starters yesterday, sending defensive end Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers and safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New England received a 2026 sixth-round pick from San Francisco in exchange for White and a 2026 seventh-round pick, while acquiring another 2026 sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh for Dugger and a 2026 seventh-round pick. The Patriots will also cover a portion of Dugger’s remaining $9.75 million salary. The moves signal a clear shift in direction for the Patriots under first-year coach Mike Vrabel, as both players were key contributors under the previous regimes of Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo.

The 49ers’ acquisition of White comes at a crucial time, as the team has been significantly impacted by injuries to its defensive ends, including a season-ending torn ACL for star player Nick Bosa. San Francisco currently ranks last in the NFL in pressure percentage (21.3%) and 25th in pass-rush win rate (33.8%), according to NFL.com. White, a 2023 second-round draft pick, totaled five sacks in his second season but was a healthy scratch in the Patriots’ recent win against the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh added Dugger, who signed a four-year, $58 million contract last year, after starting strong safety DeShon Elliott hyperextended his knee during Sunday’s loss to the Packers. “He’s a significant component of what we do,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Elliott. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense…and so certainly we have some adapting to do.” The Steelers’ official website details the team’s ongoing efforts to bolster their secondary.

Both teams are expected to continue evaluating potential trades as they navigate injuries and adjust their rosters for the remainder of the season.