The trade deadline cycle is upon the NFL world, and two dominoes have fallen for the New England Patriots as a result.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the trades on Tuesday evening.
Which Two Players Did the Patriots Just Deal?
The Patriots have traded defensive end Keion White and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
That’s not all, though — they’re also sending safety Kyle Dugger and a seventh-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Trade: New England is sending safety Kyle Dugger and a 7th-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a 6th-round pick, per sources.
This is New England’s second trade today. It also sent edge Keion White and a 7th-round pick to the 49ers for a 6th-round pick. pic.twitter.com/gCxRkMq0Lp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 28, 2025
Both White and Dugger were drafted under Bill Belichick, but they reportedly felt out of place in Vrabel’s scheme.
Who is Kyle Dugger?
The Patriots had signed Dugger to a four-year, $58 million extension during the 2024 offseason, one year before new coach Mike Vrabel arrived with his new defensive scheme.
This season, Dugger has appeared in all seven games, making four starts while compiling 17 total tackles. Due to his preseason and early-season struggles, the former Patriots team captain has been the subject of both trade and release rumors — the first of which ultimately came true.
Throughout his five-plus years in Foxborough, Dugger has appeared in 81 regular-season games, making 69 starts. He also started his only playoff appearance in 2021. Dugger has tallied 441 total tackles, nine interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, while scoring three defensive touchdowns.
Under Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, the Patriots have instituted an attack-based style of defense.
Who is Keion White?
White, a 2023 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech, had an up-and-down tenure with the Patriots. The towering edge rusher has flashed elite pass-rushing ability but struggled with consistency. His 2024 season started strong but declined as the year progressed.
To start 2025, White hadn’t registered a tackle for loss or a quarterback hit in his five active games.
A move to San Francisco gives White a chance to bolster a defensive front hit hard by injuries. This will be White’s fourth head coach in just three seasons.
The Patriots, with the 12th-ranked defense of the year according to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, are currently No. 1 in the AFC East with a 6-2 record. San Francisco, ranked 22nd, is 5-3, and the Steelers, ranked 23rd, are 4-3.
