FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots made it clear they are playing the long game, executing a pair of notable trades on October 28 that sent key defensive pieces to contending teams as the November 4 trade deadline approaches.

The most significant move saw the Pittsburgh Steelers acquire safety Kyle Dugger and a seventh-round pick from New England in exchange for a sixth-round pick. While the draft capital swap appears modest on the surface, the deal represents a strategic win for Pittsburgh as they bolster their secondary for a potential playoff push.

Dugger, who has recorded 17 tackles through seven games this season, brings versatility and playoff experience to a Steelers defense looking to solidify its back end. The former second-round pick out of Lenoir-Rhyne has been a reliable presence in the Patriots secondary since 2020, but his departure underscores New England's willingness to part with established veterans as they chart a new course.

The Patriots didn't stop there. In a separate transaction on the same day, New England shipped edge rusher Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers, continuing what appears to be a wholesale restructuring of their roster. White, who posted five sacks last season, represented another young defensive asset that the Patriots deemed expendable in their rebuilding efforts.

These dual deals mark a stark departure from the Patriots' traditionally conservative approach to in-season roster management. The franchise that built a dynasty on stability and continuity is now aggressively repositioning itself, accumulating draft capital and creating salary cap flexibility for future moves.

For the Steelers, the Dugger acquisition addresses a clear need in their defensive backfield. Pittsburgh has been searching for secondary reinforcements as they compete in the always-competitive AFC North, and landing an experienced safety who understands winning football could prove invaluable down the stretch.

The 49ers, meanwhile, add pass-rushing depth with White's arrival. Coming off a five-sack campaign, the young edge defender provides San Francisco with additional options in their defensive front rotation as they look to make another deep playoff run.

With the official NFL trade deadline set for November 4 at 4 p.m. ET, league insiders expect over a dozen additional deals to materialize in the coming days. The Patriots' aggressive posture suggests they may not be finished dealing, as other veterans on the roster could attract interest from contending teams.

As teams separate into clear buyers and sellers, New England has firmly planted itself in the latter category. While trading away productive players is never easy for fans to digest, the Patriots appear committed to a comprehensive reset that they hope will return them to championship contention in the seasons ahead. For now, though, October 28 will be remembered as the day New England fully embraced its rebuilding reality.