According to sources, the Patriots have made free agent safety Kyle Dugger an offer.

Earlier this week, Patriots Director of Scouting Eliot Wolf expressed an interest in retaining both Dugger and free agent offensive tackle Michael Onwenu. It appears the Patriots have taken the first step to trying to make that happen. 

The Patriots drafted Dugger in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne University. The versatile safety has been a staple in their line up ever since. 

Now he is entering free agency in the prime of career. He was drafted on the older side. He will be 28 later this month so this is Dugger’s best opportunity to cash in and get that one big contract. He will not take a home town discount but the Patriots could sign him to a reasonable contract. 

Retaining Dugger would be important for the Patriots. They need his versatility and leadership on the back end. Safety has always been a position of strength for the Patriots and I do not anticipate that changing under Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington.

The Patriots will have every opportunity to resign Dugger. It will come down to how many teams are going to try to sign him and his willingness to want to go come back to New England.

If Dugger wants to stay with the Patriots, they will get a deal done that works for both sides.