RK STEELERS SHOCKER: Kyle Dugger’s Arrival Puts Beloved Veteran’s Starting Job on the Line — “No Spot Is Safe in Pittsburgh Anymore”
Pittsburgh, PA – November 1, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a move that may have quietly reshaped the future of their secondary — and potentially ended a veteran’s run as a full-time starter. Following the team’s latest trade to acquire Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots, the message from the front office and coaching staff couldn’t be clearer: it’s time to raise the standard.
For Juan Thornhill, that message hits especially close to home. Signed earlier this year to solidify the safety group, Thornhill was expected to bring range and experience. Instead, his struggles in coverage and inconsistent tackling have left the door wide open for Dugger to take over. Through eight games, Thornhill has recorded 22 tackles but allowed a passer rating north of 140 when targeted — numbers that simply don’t meet Pittsburgh’s defensive expectations.
Dugger, meanwhile, brings the kind of physicality and hybrid skill set that defensive coordinator Teryl Austin covets. Capable of lining up deep, in the box, or even over tight ends, the former Patriot has built a reputation as a tone-setter — something the Steelers defense has been missing this season.
“You can’t coach instincts and aggression — and Dugger has both,” one AFC scout told Still Curtain. “He fits that old-school Pittsburgh mold: fast, mean, and always around the ball.”
The arrival of Dugger doesn’t just boost the Steelers’ back end — it changes the hierarchy. Thornhill could now be relegated to rotational duty or sub-packages, a significant shift for a player once viewed as a key veteran addition.
Beyond individual roles, the move signals the franchise’s growing impatience with mediocrity on defense. Despite boasting one of the league’s highest-paid defensive units, Pittsburgh has struggled to generate turnovers and sustain pressure in coverage, forcing general manager Omar Khan to act decisively before the midseason stretch.
For now, Thornhill’s experience will still be valued in the locker room, but his days as a starter may be numbered. With Dugger’s arrival, the Steelers have made it clear — this defense will be built on speed, versatility, and accountability.
And as the team prepares for a crucial second half of the season, one thing is certain: Pittsburgh isn’t waiting for next year to fix its problems. The transformation has already begun.
