More change is coming for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Facing their most unpredictable future in quite some time this offseason, from Patrick Mahomes' long-term injury, to Travis Kelce's potential retirement and a struggling group of offensive weapons, the Chiefs were expected to be active in the coming weeks, especially by subtracting due to their ugly cap situation.
On Wednesday, not long after the news that Kansas City would be releasing Jawaan Taylor, the team made its second significant subtraction — star cornerback Trent McDuffie is heading to the Los Angeles Rams, per Adam Schefter, in exchange for a significant collection of draft picks.
McDuffie, a former first-round pick, had blossomed into one of the NFL's best defensive backs in recent years. Financial incentive certainly played a role in his Chiefs departure, but the trade could also be a sign of what's to come for Kansas City in the NFL Draft.
Here's a breakdown of why the Chiefs traded McDuffie and what's next for the franchise this offseason.
MORE:Full details from Trent McDuffie-Rams trade
Why did the Chiefs trade Trent McDuffie?
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Chiefs were known to be a team that would be subtracting big-name talent in free agency and the trade market, rather than adding it. Not only did Kansas City miss the playoffs last season partially due to a struggling run game and lack of offensive juice, but with Mahomes' torn ACL toward the end of the year and one of the worst cap situations in the NFL, there weren't many avenues for Kansas City to add elite talent.
If the Chiefs planned to be free-agency players at all, they had to navigate getting under the salary cap first — and with the recent moves they've made, they have nearly accomplished that goal. First, the team reportedly restructured Mahomes' contract to lower his salary cap number from $78.2 to $34.65 million for the upcoming season, per Schefter.
Earlier this week, news was shared that Chiefs would also be releasing offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor, who had one year remaining on a four-year, $80 million deal. That move saved the Chiefs $20 million against the salary cap, moving them under the cap for the new league year, per ESPN.
And finally, on Wednesday, Schefter reported that Kansas City was sending McDuffie to L.A. for a package headlined by the No. 29 overall pick in the upcoming draft:
Trade is agreed to:
Full trade, per source:
Rams receive:
🏈CB Trent McDuffie
Chiefs receive:
🏈1st-round pick, No. 29
🏈5th
🏈6th
🏈2027- 3rd https://t.co/Td10TtMn7W
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2026
Financially, this is another move that's benefitting the Chiefs as they focus on their longer-term future for the first time in a while. McDuffie has been seeking an extension and is due to become one of the higher-paid cornerbacks in the league — and in the past, Kansas City hasn't proven willing to give a top-tier extension to a corner. In 2024, the Chiefs traded L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans when he was seeking a new deal, which he got in Tennessee.
McDuffie is now expected to sign a longer-term deal with the Rams, per ESPN.
As things stand — but also without factoring in Taylor's impending release, which isn't yet official — the Chiefs are around $8.5 million over the 2026 salary cap, per Spotrac. Once Taylor's release is official, the McDuffie deal will give the Chiefs some added flexibility entering free agency.
Kansas City still isn't expected to be a major player in free agency, but by making the Taylor and McDuffie moves, Andy Reid and company will at least have the room to welcome back Travis Kelce, if he chooses to return, or re-sign names like Jaylen Watson, Leo Chenal, Bryan Cook, Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Hollywood Brown, Tyquan Thornton and more.
Outside of the financial benefits though, the Chiefs are also looking to add more young talent to an aging core this offseason. If they're going to re-open their Super Bowl window with Mahomes, they'll need younger, cheaper players to build around him; by acquiring the No. 29 selection from L.A., along with three other picks, Kansas City adds some capital to use on a new young core.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chiefs will now be armed with two first-round picks. Assuming they keep both, those players will help the team rebuild around Mahomes as Kansas City eyes longer-term contention.
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Chiefs draft picks
Here are the Chiefs' updated 2026 NFL Draft selections after the McDuffie trade:
No. 9 overall, 1st round (own)
No. 29 overall, 1st round (via Rams)
No. 40 overall, 2nd round (own)
No. 74 overall, 3rd round (own)
No. 109 overall, 4th round (own)
No. 146 overall, 5th round (own)
No. 167 overall, 5th round (via Rams)
TBD overall, 6th round (via Rams)
No. 176 overall, 5th round (comp.)
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Chiefs mock draft
The Chiefs adding three more picks in the 2026 Draft, including a late first-rounder, means they'll have more young talent to add.
Prior to the McDuffie trade, Kansas City has recently been heavily mocked to select an offensive weapon at No. 9 overall. Here's a few recent mock selections for that No. 9 pick from various outlets:
Now that the Chiefs are armed with another first-round pick, there are some more high-end prospects they could eye. After the McDuffie trade, ESPN's Jordan Reid projected Kansas City to select Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy with No. 29 — if the Chiefs do look to replace McDuffie with that pick, other cornerbacks to watch include Tennessee's Colton Hood, South Carolina's Brandon Cisse and Clemson's Avieon Terrell.
Wide receivers likely to fall that range include Texas A&M's KC Concepcion and Washington's Denzel Boston, while pass rushers include Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas or Texas A&M's Cashius Howell.
If the Chiefs do not take Jeremiyah Love at No. 9, there could also be another Notre Dame running back available at No. 29 in Jadarian Price.
MORE: Sporting News' 2-round mock draft
Chiefs 2026 salary cap
After the McDuffie trade, but before Jawaan Taylor's official release, the Chiefs are around $8.5 million over the salary cap, per Spotrac.
Once Taylor's contract is removed from the picture, Kansas City will have some cap space to work with in free agency, although the team will not be among the leaders in 2026 cap room.
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