It changed the game for good. It’s also the type of heady play that makes Dugger attractive to the Bengals.
“I had coverage on the tight end (Drew Sample) in the backfield. Because he was protecting, I basically just freed myself up and read the quarterback,” Dugger said. “It was just man-to-man coverage. It’s one of those feel things. Knowing where my guy was and what he was doing and how that freed me up.”
With the Steelers bringing five rushers and Sample staying in to help, Dugger dropped into the middle of the field, and Flacco had to get it out under duress. It went to the roaming Dugger in front of wide receiver Tee Higgins, and he took it for his third career pick-six.
“Those things you really can’t coach,” Kovacs said. “They’re just good football players who have experience. That’s what this guy is. He’ll push those guys as he carves a role.”
It was the highlight of a tough 2025. With the Patriots unloading Jerod Mayo defenders from a scheme where Dugger’s style didn’t seem to fit Mike Vrabel’s zone, he was traded to another team making a run to the playoffs.
Dugger started all nine games there as the Steelers won the AFC North, and although he didn’t start the Wild Card loss, he played nearly 50% of the snaps.
Dugger hasn’t really been right physically for two seasons. He injured his ankle while blocking a field goal early in the 2024 season. After missing the next three games, Dugger played hurt the rest of the way and didn’t realize until the end of the year that he needed extensive “tight rope surgery.”
That pretty much limited him until training camp.
“With an offseason now, I feel 100%,” Dugger said.
Cincinnati made him feel good enough to sign. Especially Paycor.
“Just the feel. Coming into the facility. Even the city. Very peaceful, very chill. Kind of that worker’s vibe which I really like,” Dugger said. “And the facility was plenty. It was a lot, and the overall fit as well.”
Dugger doesn’t know many Bengals, but he knows plenty about their offense. He’s played against quarterback Joe Burrow three times and played with center and captain Ted Karras for a year in New England.
“Their offense is the first thing that comes to mind,” Dugger said. “Joe Burrow and I were in the same draft class and I’ve seen the things he’s done. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve played against and their offense is one of the, if not, the most talented in the league.
“Just the potential to win a lot games and play at a high level as a team. That’s what I know.”