Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Praises New Safety As A Potential "All-Pro"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a much-improved defense over the past few weeks. Some of it stems from simpler play calls, and some comes from the massive changes made at the safety position midseason. Jalen Ramsey was forced to move back to that spot in Week 9 due to necessity, and he proved to be much more effective there than at cornerback. The trade to bring in Kyle Dugger has more than paid off, especially with that pick-six in Week 11 to extend the lead and secure victory for Pittsburgh. 

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took notice of Dugger's play in recent weeks, and he sees big things for the new safety coming up in future years. He explained all that while on his show Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.

"[Kyle Dugger]'s got a nose for the end zone, a nose for the ball," Roethlisberger said. "You know what Ramsey's going to give you back there: he's a fast, instinct guy, been in the league, All-Pro. I think there's a chance that [Dugger] is going to develop into an All-Pro safety. I think that's how good he is, and the potential he has."

Expecting a sixth-year safety to develop into an All-Pro is definitely bold, but in the right scheme fit, it could happen. It definitely seems like Pittsburgh is the perfect spot for him to be in. He and Ramsey have been a surprising dynamic duo for the few games they have been together, but it looks like a tandem that could do well for the next couple years, at least until the former Super Bowl champion in Ramsey starts to regress. 

Dugger has yet to even make a Pro Bowl, let alone receive a vote for any awards, but if he keeps this play up throughout the rest of the 2025 season, there could be some arguments made for him to be in some of these conversations. There is still a lot of time to see if he can build off of this or if it's just a fluke, but great things could be on the horizon if he can even find a way to take his play to another level.

The odds of Dugger becoming an All-Pro or making a Pro Bowl in 2025 are slim, mainly because of how little exposure he had with the New England Patriots before he got traded. He had 17 tackles in seven games, with no other cumulative stat to speak of until he made it to Pittsburgh. Moving down from the sixth to the seventh round in the 2026 NFL Draft was more than worth it for his play so far.

In three weeks with the Steelers, Dugger has 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defended, and the aforementioned interception returned for a touchdown. Even if he isn't getting national recognition for this renaissance, everyone on the team is taking notice of how well he has been doing, from the coaches to his teammates on the defensive side of the ball. 

Not only was the draft compensation amazing, but the Patriots are eating almost his entire salary for 2025. Trading for him only cost the Steelers just north of $1 million, and he will be a free agent at season's end. At this point, it would be hard for the front office to justify letting him walk in free agency and not giving him a new deal to stay where he belongs.

Steelers Have Bright Future In Secondary Despite Aging Starters

The Steelers have done great with taking aging cornerbacks and moving them into slot corner and/or safety, and that has been the case here for Ramsey. There's a great chance he doesn't get cut. Of course, there's the aforementioned Dugger situation that should get done, and Asante Samuel Jr. is still waiting in the wings to get his chance to prove himself.

What do you think about Roethlisberger praising Dugger and saying he has the potential to be an All-Pro? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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