The New England Patriots continued their offseason plan of re-signing their own pending free agents, inking safety Kyle Dugger to a four-year deal worth $58 million, per a team source.

The Pats had already placed the transition tag on Dugger, assuring they’d have a chance to match any offer Dugger got.

Instead, they got an extension done with another core member of their team. They’d already re-signed Mike Onwenu, Hunter Henry, Anfernee Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Josh Uche this offseason.

There’s certainly fair criticism for why a 4-13 team is returning so many players, but the Patriots’ new regime has struggled to attract top-flight free agents, and they don’t want to lose the decent players that they do have.

Dugger, 28, figures to be a key part of first-year coach Jerod Mayo’s defense and represents the kind of position flexible player the Patriots covet. A 2020 second-round pick from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger improved slowly through his first few seasons. He snagged four interceptions in 2021 and nabbed two pick sixes in a standout 2022 season. In 2023, Dugger finished third on the team in total tackles with 109 and was the leader in solo tackles with 71.

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