Kyle Dugger Replaces Ja’Whaun Bentley as Patriots Captain

When Ja’Whaun Bentley tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2, the New England Patriots lost a player with over 100 tackles for three straight seasons. They lost a team leader as well. Bentley has served as a Patriots captain for the past four seasons. With Bentley out indefinitely, New England has named Kyle Dugger to replace him as a team captain.

Jerod Mayo made the news of Dugger’s new designation official Wednesday.

“When we did the votes for captain, and once again, this is voted on by their peers, it was very close,” said Mayo. “It was very close. And happy to announce today a guy that has done a tremendous job for us, has really shown a lot of growth on the field and off the field, and that’s Kyle Dugger. And so Dugger is now a captain for us.”

Mayo said he talked to Bentley about replacing him as team captain while he rehabbed. The head coach experienced this himself as a player. Mayo served as New England Patriots captain for seven seasons, but injuries ended his season early on multiple occasions. Bill Belichick had similar talks with Mayo about replacing his role until he returned. Bentley is expected to go on IR and miss the remainder of the 2024 season, but nothing has been done in the ten days since his injury.

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Patriots Leadership Group

“He (Dugger) brings that mentality, that physicality, that you want on your defense,” said Mayo.

“The first couple of years, it was more like he would just go out there and perform at a high level,” said Mayo. “But (he) really didn’t have much to do with the communication and stuff like that, and development of his teammates. And I would say here, over the last few years, he’s done a tremendous job mentoring those young guys and even the older guys.”

The coach also discussed how different leader have different leadership styles. Kyle Dugger’s approach is different that that of his fellow safety, Jabill Peppers, one of the most vocal members of the team.

“It’s a little different,” Mayo said of Dugger’s leadership. “It’s mostly through just the way he approaches the game. But I would say here, as of late, the last…this year and last year, he’s been more vocal, which I definitely appreciate. And everyone doesn’t always feel comfortable doing that. He’s been doing it.”

Kyle Dugger acted as a team leader the past few season. He will have a “C” on his chest to make it official in Week 4.