Bengals Sign Safety Kyle Dugger to One-Year Contract The Cincinnati Bengals have finalized a one-year agreement with safety Kyle Dugger, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move marks the team’s effort to bolster its secondary ahead of the 2025 season. Dugger, 30, will join the Bengals after spending the second half of the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his time with Pittsburgh, he started nine games and contributed significantly to the defense, recording 42 total tackles, five passes defensed, and two interceptions. Dugger’s journey to the Bengals began with his tenure in New England. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he spent his first five-plus seasons with the New England Patriots, where he became a key rotational player. Over his career, Dugger has appeared in 90 games, with 78 starts, and has accumulated 11 interceptions and 29 passes defensed. His ability to read the game and make plays in critical moments has made him a reliable option for teams seeking defensive depth. The Bengals’ decision to sign Dugger reflects their strategy to address weaknesses in their secondary. While the team has a strong foundation with players like Jessie Bates III and Tre Flowers, adding Dugger provides flexibility and competition. His experience in both the Patriots’ and Steelers’ systems could help him adapt quickly to Cincinnati’s defensive schemes. Dugger’s trade to the Steelers in the offseason was a notable move, as he had been with the Patriots for nearly six years. The trade allowed him to gain more playing time and showcase his skills in a different system. His performance with Pittsburgh, particularly his ability to step into a starting role, has positioned him as a valuable free agent for teams looking to strengthen their defense.#new_england_patriots #adam_schefter #pittsburgh_steers #cincinnati_bengals #kyle_dugger
Jalen Ramsey's Role with Steelers Shrinks as Slot Position Becomes Primary Focus The Pittsburgh Steelers have outlined a clear path for Jalen Ramsey in 2026, positioning him as a slot cornerback with limited opportunities as an outside defender. After a challenging season as an outside cornerback, the team has shifted its focus toward utilizing Ramsey’s skills in the slot, with safety snaps serving as a secondary option. This strategy reflects a broader effort to address defensive needs while managing Ramsey’s declining athleticism, which has made him a liability in coverage against elite wide receivers. The Steelers’ approach has been shaped by both roster moves and strategic planning. Last season’s struggles for Ramsey as an outside cornerback prompted the team to move him inside, where he was occasionally deployed in the slot. This shift was further reinforced by free-agent signings, including Jamel Dean, who signaled the team’s intent to prioritize outside cornerback depth. The addition of Asante Samuel Jr. as a backup at the outside position further solidified the depth chart, leaving little room for Ramsey to reclaim a primary role on the perimeter. The Steelers’ decision to bring in Jaquan Brisker as a safety also highlights their focus on rotational flexibility. Brisker’s potential role in a safety rotation suggests the team is not building a system that forces Ramsey to become a full-time safety. Instead, the slot is being positioned as Ramsey’s primary assignment, with safety snaps reserved for situational use. This structure limits Ramsey’s opportunities to play outside, where he struggled last season, and places him in a role that aligns with his current physical capabilities. The team’s draft strategy further supports this plan.#jaquan_brisker #pittsburgh_steers #jalen_ramsey #jamal_dean #asante_samuel_jr
Veteran Cornerback Darius Slay Announces Retirement After 13 NFL Seasons Darius Slay, a veteran cornerback with 13 seasons in the NFL, has officially retired from professional football. The announcement came on Monday, marking the end of a career that spanned multiple teams and highlighted his contributions to the sport. Slay, 35, shared his decision through a social media post, expressing gratitude for the opportunities the game provided and reflecting on the challenges of leaving a career he dedicated to for over a decade. In his statement, Slay wrote, “This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones and I’m forever grateful. It’s hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I’m ready to turn the page and start my new journey.” The post, shared on Instagram, underscored his personal growth and the transition he is embarking on beyond football. Slay’s retirement follows a season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played in 10 games, starting nine. During his time with the Steelers, he recorded three passes defensed, a fumble recovery, and 36 total tackles. His decision to join the Steelers came after being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason of 2024. Despite winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2024, Slay was let go the following year, leading to his brief stint with the Steelers. The 13-season journey began with the Detroit Lions, who selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Over the years, Slay became a six-time Pro Bowler and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2017. His career statistics include 28 interceptions, 163 passes defended, and 655 tackles. These numbers reflect his consistent performance as a reliable defensive player across multiple teams.#philadelphia_eagles #detroit_lions #darius_slay #pittsburgh_steers #mississippi_state
Top 2025 NFL Cornerbacks for Fantasy Football Lineups Identifying favorable and unfavorable cornerback matchups is a crucial aspect of building successful fantasy football lineups. Elite NFL cornerbacks can significantly impact the performance of opposing wide receivers, often by limiting passing opportunities or preventing key catches. This analysis highlights the top four perimeter cornerbacks for the 2025 NFL season, focusing on their statistical contributions and defensive impact. CB DJ Turner II, Cincinnati Bengals Turner emerged as a standout performer in his third season, establishing himself as the Bengals’ most reliable defensive player. At 25, he earned a 73.3 PFF defense grade and a 78.1 PFF coverage grade, making him the only Bengals defender with at least 500 defensive snaps to achieve a 69.0 PFF defense grade or higher. His ability to force incompletions at a league-best frequency while discouraging quarterbacks from targeting his coverage sets him apart. Despite frequently facing the opposition’s top wide receiver, Turner forced incompletions on 28.6% of third-down snaps, ranking ninth among 63 cornerbacks with at least 115 third-down coverage snaps. His combination of high catch rate prevention and disruptive coverage makes him a top-tier coverage defender. CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks Witherspoon delivered a career-high performance in 2025, earning a 90.1 PFF defense grade, 90.1 PFF run-defense grade, 92.9 PFF pass-rush grade, and an 83.6 PFF coverage grade. Transitioning from a slot-heavy role to a perimeter-focused position, he maintained elite metrics across all defensive facets. Among 71 cornerbacks with at least 600 defensive snaps, Witherspoon ranked first in two categories and third in run defense, while tying for second in coverage. His 7.#denver_broncos #seattle_seahawks #pittsburgh_steers #cincinnati_bengals #dj_turner_ii
