As the Patriots approach the 2024 season, they boast one of the more formidable safety tandems in football with…
As the Patriots approach the 2024 season, they boast one of the more formidable safety tandems in football with Jabrill Peppers emerging as a cornerstone player over the past two years. Peppers, a key figure in the team’s roster, is currently under contract for the upcoming season, at least for the time being. Meanwhile, Kyle Dugger, another integral part of the safety duo, was recently designated with the transition tag, signaling the team’s intent to secure a long-term deal while buying time.
Opting for the transition tag involves a certain degree of risk. Unlike the franchise tag, which provides a team with two first-round draft picks if a player is recruited by another club, the transition tag lacks such compensation. The Patriots, in this case, possess only the right of first refusal against incoming offer sheets directed at Dugger.
The rationale behind choosing the transition tag over the franchise tag boils down to cost considerations. With a cap hit of approximately $13.82 million, the transition tag carries a financial impact roughly $3.3 million less than its franchise counterpart.
By employing the transition tag, the Patriots effectively communicated their assessment of Dugger’s value and are now challenging other teams to contest it. While it remains a possibility for other teams to pursue the 27-year-old player, who has consistently performed well since entering the league in 2020, the current dynamics of the safety market appear to be aligning favorably with the Patriots’ strategy.
