Patriots security Kyle Dugger and outdoors linebacker Anfernee Jennings are recognized to be accessible for commerce with lower than every week left till the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline, in response to league sources.
The Patriots lately raised Dugger’s title in talks with no less than one workforce, whereas the entrance workplace has lengthy been keen to take presents on him and Jennings, sources stated.
The writing appears to be on the wall for Dugger, who performed by way of the top of last Saturday’s preseason game in Minnesota and practiced with the scout-team defense this week. The 29-year-old security seems to have misplaced a step, following a excessive ankle sprain he suffered and played on for three months last season. After sitting out spring practices, Dugger opened coaching camp as a full participant, then tumbled down the depth chart. Fourth-round rookie Craig Woodson has changed him within the beginning protection.
Jennings’ title was raised in exploratory discussions earlier this summer time, in response to a supply, although his current efficiency in apply and the preseason might have modified his standing with the workforce. Earlier than recording three sacks in Saturday’s preseason recreation, Jennings loved his finest week of apply all summer time. The 27-year-old has been forged as a questionable scheme slot in coach Mike Vrabel’s new, attacking type of protection.
Regardless of that, Jennings rose from the scout-team protection to the second-team unit in coaching camp. Since his stellar preseason efficiency Saturday, he has not practiced.
On Monday, Patriots vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf stated his entrance workplace is in touch with all different groups within the league. In response to a query about swinging a “big trade,” Wolf additionally careworn trades are tougher to succeed in than most consider.
“We’re speaking to all 31 groups and making an attempt to do what’s finest for us. I feel these issues are sometimes much more sophisticated than the followers and a few others want to make you consider,” Wolf stated. “But when there’s something we predict can assist us, we’d undoubtedly be open to it.”
Ryan Cowden, the workforce’s vp of participant personnel, echoed Wolf in his personal pre-practice press convention on Tuesday.
“I feel Eliot (Wolf) put it in an excellent (method) yesterday,” Cowden stated. “There’s so many layers and problems and little nuances about each deal. Whether or not that’s a bit deal, whether or not that’s a giant deal or it’s a backup participant or perhaps an elite participant.
“Our job is to consistently give you concepts, brainstorm strategies about gamers in any respect ranges. And the acquisition of these gamers isn’t as simple generally. It takes two sides. Generally the participant has a say. And we’ve to be actually intentional about strikes we make as a result of any transfer we make sends a message to the remainder of the soccer workforce.”
Dugger and Jennings are each 2020 draft picks and two of the Patriots’ longest-tenured gamers. Dugger has began all 45 of the video games he’s appeared within the final three seasons and recorded 424 tackles, 9 interceptions and three compelled fumbles since he entered the league. He performed at a Professional Bowl-caliber degree in 2022, a serious purpose why the workforce signed him to a four-year $58 million contract in April 2024.
That contract is now anticipated to be a hurdle in any commerce talks, with Dugger carrying a cap hit of greater than $15 million this season. If he’s launched, the Patriots would take in a $14.25 million useless cap hit and create $1 million in area, per Over the Cap. Any commerce appears to hinge on the Patriots consuming nearly all of his wage, given Dugger’s new workforce would in any other case inherit a $9.75 million fully-guaranteed wage and a further $1 million in per-game roster bonuses.
In the meantime, Jennings developed right into a stable early-down starter the previous two years. He has 191 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two compelled fumbles for his profession, and a status as one of many higher edge-setting run defenders within the league. Jennings’ talent set, nevertheless, just isn’t as valued within the Patriots’ new, attacking defensive scheme that prioritizes defensive linemen and edge defenders who play by way of the road of scrimmage as a substitute of controlling gaps.
Jennings has two years left on his contract, with a $1.85 million base wage this season and solely $1.35 million assured. In 2026, none of his scheduled $3 million base wage is assured. If Jennings is traded, the Patriots would create roughly $3.5 million in cap area, whereas if he’s launched, that quantity would drop to simply over $2 million.
The Patriots return to motion of their last preseason recreation Thursday night time in opposition to the Giants at MetLife Stadium. The workforce will then maintain practices on Sunday and Monday earlier than the league’s 53-man roster deadline.
