Shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes simply tweeted, “Damn.” Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy posted two crying emojis next to “Noooooooooooooooo.”
Mahomes and Worthy’s public sentiments reportedly reflect how several people feel within the Chiefs organization.
“We saw Patrick Mahomes’ reaction on social media, which I believe was, ‘Damn,'” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on Good Morning Football this morning. “Certainly, the quarterback on the other side of the ball, not happy. Folks on the defensive side of the ball, not happy as well. This is a tough one for a lot of folks there because of what Trent McDuffie meant to that defense and how many people think he’s one of the top cornerbacks in the league.”
The Rams sent the Chiefs one of their 2026 first-round draft picks (No. 29), a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick in exchange for the 25-year-old McDuffie.
To Garafolo’s point, McDuffie had been a cornerstone to the Chiefs’ three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, including back-to-back Super Bowl championships, since drafting him at No. 21 overall in 2022. McDuffie was widely considered the Chiefs’ second-best defensive player behind only All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones - particularly when McDuffie lined up at slot corner.
According to NFL senior researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno, McDuffie is the only cornerback - and fourth defensive back - to record 25-plus passes defended, 15-plus quarterback hits, and 10-plus tackles for loss since 2022. He also leads all cornerbacks in quarterback pressures (34) and forced fumbles (8) since entering the NFL.
As devastated as the Chiefs are to lose McDuffie, Rams All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua is happy to be reuniting with his former University of Washington teammate.
The Rams will be over the moon if this McDuffie trade proves to be the final piece that puts them over the hump. Los Angeles lost 31-27 to the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game last season. The Rams’ defense saw a sharp decline in performance post-Thanksgiving, especially in the secondary. With reigning NFL MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford returning for at least one more year, McDuffie’s arrival boosts the Rams’ chances of winning one more championship on his way out.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.