Under-the-radar Patriots defense ready to take leap forward
The New England Patriots focused on maintaining a strong defense this offseason, despite significant roster and coaching changes. They re-signed safety Kyle Dugger to a four-year extension, allowing him to concentrate solely on football. Dugger expressed optimism about the unit’s potential, saying, “If I’m being honest, I don’t really see a ceiling for the group.” The Patriots also rely on second-year players, including Christian Gonzalez and Keion White, to elevate the defense. Head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized the potential for significant improvement in their second year, stating, “We are looking for those guys to make a huge jump.” Meanwhile, cornerback Marcus Jones highlighted the importance of unity and continuous improvement during OTA’s.