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Source: Patriots placing transition tag on Kyle Dugger; what it means

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Source: Patriots placing transition tag on Kyle Dugger; what it means


The Patriots are placing the transition tag on impending free-agent safety Kyle Dugger, a source confirmed to the Herald.

The transition tag costs $13.81 million and means the Patriots have right of first refusal if another team offers Dugger a contract. If the Patriots were to lose Dugger to a contract offer from another team, they would receive no compensation, barring a trade.

The Patriots now cannot place a tag on impending free-agent offensive lineman Mike Onwenu, who is expected to represent himself this offseason after firing his agents.

Dugger has been a key cog in the Patriots defense since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne. He primarily played strong safety in his first three NFL season before splitting his time between the box role he had settled into and free safety when Devin McCourty retired last offseason.

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A source told the Herald last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that Dugger was expected to garner an average salary of $12-to-$16 million per year. His $13.81 million salary falls in line with that amount.

Dugger, who will turn 28 later this month, has 343 career tackles with nine interceptions, three touchdowns, 20 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and nine QB hits in 61 games with 52 starts.

The Patriots also have Jabrill Peppers under contract at safety. Jalen Mills is set to hit free agency next week, and the Patriots released veteran safety Adrian Phillips last month.

Dugger’s tag will reduce the Patriots’ salary cap space from their previous figure of over $100 million. Miguel Benzan, or @PatsCap on X, projects the Patriots to have $87,696,056 million remaining in salary cap room.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf both said last week that keeping Dugger and Onwenu was a priority for the team.

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“I would say last year going into the season there were some questions about, ‘can he communicate and all those…’ He squashed all of that this year,” Mayo said of Dugger. “He did a fantastic job in his new role without having Devin there.

“So you definitely want those pieces to stay. You develop through the draft. So if those guys stay, obviously, they’ve been raised here and they can help push the culture forward.”

“We definitely want to keep Mike and Kyle,” Wolf said. “We’re hopeful to continue to work with with Kyle’s agent and Mike to make that happen.”

The Patriots had extended an offer to Dugger, who was expected to test free agency before receiving the transition tag. Now Dugger and the team can continue to work towards agreeing to a contract extension that would keep him with the Patriots long-term.

The Patriots last used a tag in 2020 on guard Joe Thuney. He played the entire season on the franchise tag before departing for the Chiefs in free agency the next season. They also used the franchise tag in 2002 on kicker Adam Vinatieri, 2003 on safety Tebucky Jones, 2005 on Vinatieri, 2007 on cornerback Asante Samuel, 2009 on quarterback Matt Cassel, 2010 on defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, 2011 on guard Logan Mankins, 2012 on wide receiver Wes Welker and 2015 on kicker Stephen Gostkowski.

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Dugger is the first NFL player to receive the transition tag since running back Kenyan Drake was tagged in 2020. Only four players have received the transition tag this decade.



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Boston, MA

Will President Trump send ICE agents to Boston’s Logan Airport?

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Will President Trump send ICE agents to Boston’s Logan Airport?


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“We have not heard anything official from TSA leadership that ICE would be coming to any airport in New England.”

A traveler shows her identification to a TSA officer at a security checkpoint at Boston Logan International Airport in Boston on May 7, 2025. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe)

While Logan Airport has so far avoided the delays plaguing other major hubs, Boston’s airport may see federal immigration agents step into a security role at the order of President Donald Trump.

As the partial government shutdown continues into its second month, more than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit after working without pay since mid-February, the Department of Homeland Security said. Funding for DHS, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is at the center of the shutdown.

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Starting Monday, Trump said he’s planning to order ICE agents to airports, where they would arrest “all Illegal Immigrants,” unless Democrats fund DHS.

Mike Gayzagian, the president of AFGE Local 2617,  the New England branch of the TSA officers’ union, said it’s currently unclear if ICE will be headed to Logan or any other airport in New England. 

“We have not heard anything official from TSA leadership that ICE would be coming to any airport in New England. However, we are making inquiries,” Gayzagian said in a statement. “The New England region has not experienced the same problems as other parts of the country and so we do not see such a move as something that’s necessary at this time. However, if the staffing situation deteriorates, the need for such a move may have to be reevaluated.”

At Logan Airport, the majority of TSA agents have stayed at work, Boston.com previously reported, and the airport has overall avoided long security lines.

Massport confirmed Sunday that Logan has “not seen any impacts to the checkpoints due to the ongoing shutdown” and said it had no information on ICE agents going to Logan.

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When asked if ICE agents will be at Logan Airport, a spokesperson for DHS did not address Boston or New England directly, instead blaming the “Democrat shutdown” and addressing the long lines at airports nationwide.

Trump will “deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted,” according to Lauren Bis, DHS’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland. 

“Because of the Democrat shutdown, President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hourslong lines at airports across the country — especially during this spring break and holiday season that is very important for many American families,” Bis said. “This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions.”

AFGE National President Everett Kelley slammed the move in a statement, saying the agents “deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be.”

In New England, Gayzagian said as the union makes inquiries into the move to deploy ICE agents, public safety is important if staffing levels suffer.

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“It’s important to keep the public safety situation under control,” Gayzagian said. “Any police presence at the airport acts as a deterrent to those who have bad intentions.”

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Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.

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The Sunday Read: Reichel Finding Role In Bruins Lineup | Boston Bruins

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The Sunday Read: Reichel Finding Role In Bruins Lineup | Boston Bruins


It was the second time in six months that Reichel had to pack his bags and join a new team. Was it a surprise?

“A little bit, I would say, because it was kind of like last-minute,” Reichel said. “But I knew Boston was always – even when I was in Chicago – always in the mix. It was good when I heard it.”

He tried to take it in stride. Providence runs a fairly parallel system to that of its NHL affiliate; Mougenel’s goal is for the transition to be as easy as possible, he said, when his guys get called upon. While it was a short stint with the P-Bruins, it seemed to be just what Reichel needed to get his bearings.

“I think Providence helped me a lot,” Reichel said. “It was just three games, but it was fun to play with them down there. They’re really good at helping me out, and I felt comfortable right away. They are a really good team.”

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Reichel made his Boston debut in Thursday’s 6-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden, and had two points (one goal, one assist) while skating on the third line with Elias Lindholm and Morgan Geekie. He also slotted onto the second power-play unit.

Reichel displayed the speed head coach Marco Sturm has been so fond of during Saturday’s 4-2 victory in Detroit. He bolted past a group of Red Wings and charged the net, drawing a penalty shot in the latter minutes of the third period. While he did not convert, it was a prime example of the motor Reichel brings.

“I think as a player, I happened to be here, too, as soon as you go into a new team – I think it just helps overall your confidence when you score and have success on the first night. It helps you tomorrow, helps you the next day, helps you the next game,” Sturm said.

Lindholm and Geekie have a combined 21 years of NHL experience, and they’re offering it up as a resource for Reichel, who has injected his youthful energy onto the line.

“Just having fun,” Reichel said of his linemates’ advice. “And they try to talk to me a lot between periods or on the bench. Just play my game and have fun with it.”

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Sturm had familiarity with Reichel – the Nuremberg, Germany, native – before he joined the Black & Gold. Reichel’s father, Martin, and Sturm were teammates on the German national team.  

​“I asked him about his dad today. He said he stepped away from youth hockey, and it’s a good thing. He’s focused on drinking wine, I guess. So good for him,” Sturm said with a smile. “He’s a good man, it’s a good family.”



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Boston Legacy lose first away game 0-3 to Houston Dash

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Boston Legacy lose first away game 0-3 to Houston Dash


Boston Legacy FC lost their first away game 0-3 to the Houston Dash on Saturday. 

The game began with some action: a penalty in the 13th minute for the Houston Dash after a tackle by Jorelyn Carabali in the box. The Dash was unable to secure a goal after a diving block from Casey Murphy.

However, 30 minutes later, the Dash managed to get one through, resulting in a 0-1 score at the half.

In the second half, the Legacy was unable to stop the Dash, with a goal at the 60′ and 65 minute mark. The game ended 3-0. Boston Legacy secured 2 shots on goal, compared to 7 for Houston Dash. The first away game for the Legacy also marked several player debuts, including Amanda Gutierres, Laurel Ansbrow, and Massachusetts own Sammy Smith.

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Boston Legacy head coach Filipa Patão said it wasn’t the result they were expecting. 

“A lot of bad executions and decisions in the game,” Patão said. “We need to grow a little bit more.” 

Midfielder Josefine Hasbo said that the players needed to take responsibility for their performance out on the pitch.

“These are the moments that you learn from even more,” said Hasbo.

Forward Nichelle Prince, who was drafted by the Dash in 2018, told reporters that the Legacy needed to work on keeping the ball on the other side of the pitch, especially on hot days, which may be more transitional for them. 

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“Pick our moments where we need to beat the press a little bit better and overall just the mentality to win the ball back quicker,” Prince said at a press conference.

Patão said that the team will focus on “getting better” and “improving our process” moving forward.   

This loss comes a week after the Legacy’s 0-1 finish against the New York Sirens in their inaugural home game at Gillette Stadium. Boston Legacy will play the Utah Royals on March 28 at 12 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.



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