Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie
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What's the latest update on Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie's contract situation?
Of course, there’s one main reason behind the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. It allows teams to get firsthand looks at some of the best 2026 NFL Draft prospects, as well as meet with them. For Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, that’s one of his main focuses this week.
On the other hand, Combine week is also a common time for teams and agents to meet. One high-profile contract situation for Kansas City remains unresolved. There’s a question many want the answer to.
What will happen with cornerback Trent McDuffie?
Chiefs GM Brett Veach Drops Update on Negotiations With CB Trent McDuffie
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Veach provided the latest update. The good news is he’s set to speak with McDuffie’s representation on Wednesday morning.
The bad news is there still isn’t a clear direction either way. Judging only Veach’s words, not much progress has been made regarding a long-term contract extension.
“Yeah, I mean, we’ve had a lot of dialogue with Trent last spring [and] last summer,” Veach said. “He’s first out of the gate, I think, tomorrow. Looking forward to getting with him. Obviously, Trent’s a great player. We’ll see what we can do there, but [we’d] certainly love to have Trent back for the long term.”
As a first-round pick back in 2022, McDuffie’s fifth-year option has already been exercised. If he plays out the 2026-27 campaign on the option, he’ll make $13.6 million in guaranteed salary. Given the current cornerback contract landscape, that’d make him the 22nd-highest-paid player at his position for the upcoming season, barring any other signings to skew the numbers.
The issue with that is it doesn’t give the player or his team a plan for years to come.
In recent months, the Chiefs’ fan base has seemingly been split into two sides: re-sign McDuffie to an extension or trade him now. The former could cost significant financial capital, whereas the latter might return considerable NFL Draft capital. There’s no clear answer, and Veach isn’t revealing much.
Those wishing for a quick resolution might have to hang tight.
Assessing Free Agency & 2026 NFL Draft for CB Options
In four years with the Chiefs, McDuffie has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. A two-time Super Bowl champion, he’s logged 246 tackles, 34 pass breakups, 15 quarterback hits and 12 tackles for loss. He also has multiple seasons of productive output to his name and doesn’t turn 26 years old until just after the start of next season. There’s ample reason to extend him.
For all of those reasons, however, it leaves the door open for an argument to trade him. Letting McDuffie play out one more year before leaving in free agency leaves Kansas City playing the compensatory formula game. A 2026 trade ensures more of a return and helps expedite the rebuilding process of what could be a two-year effort.
As far as free agency is concerned, replacing McDuffie directly would be much easier said than done. The easiest solution might be simply re-signing Jaylen Watson, who seems sure to land double-digit AAV on his next deal. It doesn’t completely solve the slot cornerback issue, though, rendering someone else to pick up the pieces.
Given Watson’s press-man strengths, Nohl Williams being an outside man and veteran Kristian Fulton serving as more of the same, another signing would have to take place to replicate McDuffie’s role. According to Pro Football Focus, McDuffie has over 2,000 career snaps outside but another 869 in the slot.
An unorthodox pitch: Ohio State’s Caleb Downs in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s split his reps between a free safety (960), box (865) and slot (574) alignment and would be a fun piece for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. If available and selected at pick No. 9 — and if this hypothetical is McDuffie-less — he’d also allow for fluidity with other secondary pieces.
Of course, this is all guesswork. The Chiefs clearly value McDuffie’s ability, but only this offseason will tell whether that earns him a payday in Kansas City.