Patrick Mahomes had a blunt two-word reaction after the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams
13:05 ET, 04 Mar 2026
Mahomes had a blunt reaction to a recent Chiefs trade
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Patrick Mahomes had a blunt reaction to a recent Chiefs trade(Image: Getty)
The Kansas City Chiefs made one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason, and Patrick Mahomes’ reaction suggested the news caught even him off guard.
Kansas City has reportedly agreed to trade All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal that sends one of the league’s top young defensive backs to another Super Bowl contender. The trade signals a significant shift for the Chiefs as they reshape their roster heading into the 2026 season.
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According to multiple reports, the Rams will send a package of draft picks to Kansas City centered around the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs, with Travis Kelce still debating his NFL future and a potential TV role, will also receive a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick as part of the deal.
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Mahomes reacted to the news shortly after it surfaced on Wednesday morning with a brief but telling message on social media. “Damn..” the Chiefs quarterback posted.
McDuffie, 25, has been one of the Chiefs’ most reliable defensive players since entering the league as the No. 21 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The cornerback quickly developed into one of the NFL’s top defensive backs, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after a breakout campaign that included five forced fumbles and three sacks.
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He continued to perform at a high level the following season, landing on the second-team All-Pro list and even receiving down-ballot consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite battling a knee injury in 2025, McDuffie still graded as one of the league’s better cornerbacks and finished the year with an interception, a sack, and a forced fumble in 13 starts.
The move likely reflects a financial decision as much as a football one. McDuffie is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, meaning the Chiefs would soon need to negotiate a major extension if they wanted to keep him long term. Rather than risk losing him in free agency, Kansas City appears to have opted to collect additional draft capital.
McDuffie is expected to sign a long-term deal with the Rams
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Trent McDuffie is expected to sign a long-term deal with the Rams(Image: Getty)
For the Rams, the trade represents another aggressive move by general manager Les Snead as the team continues to push for a championship while veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford remains under center.
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Stafford is coming off an MVP season and, at 38 years old, Los Angeles appears determined to maximize its remaining window to compete for another Super Bowl.
McDuffie could immediately strengthen a Rams secondary that was viewed as a weak point last season. Los Angeles ranked near the middle of the league in pass defense, and adding a shutdown cornerback capable of covering opposing teams’ top receivers could significantly improve the unit.
The Rams have a history of bold moves involving cornerbacks. In 2019, the team traded multiple first-round picks to acquire Jalen Ramsey, a deal that helped pave the way for their Super Bowl LVI victory two years later.