Patriots place transition tag on free agent safety (report)
The New England Patriots have decided to tag pending free agent safety Kyle Dugger.
Dugger will be tagged using the transition tag per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
The transition tag is worth $13.8 million, whereas the franchise tag for safeties would have been $17.1 million. It's the first time New England will have used a tag since placing it on Joe Thuney ahead of the 2020 season.
This allows the Patriots to match any offer Dugger gets on the open market. However, New England would not receive draft pick compensation if they decide not match and he signs with a new team.
The 27-year old is now guaranteed at least a one-year deal worth $13.8 million. This strategy is a head-scratcher as it not only still allows Dugger to test the market, but also effects guard Michael Onwenu.
Offensive line is a massive need for New England and now the Patriots allow their best offensive lineman to test the market as they can no longer tag him. Per the NFL CBA a team can only use a transaction or franchise tag on only one player each offseason.
To let their top free agent become available and use a tag that doesn’t even lock up Dugger is questionable. Of course there is always the possibility, the Patriots could end up agreeing to long term deals with both players until they sign elsewhere.
