Trent McDuffie
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HENDERSON, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 08: Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Kansas City Chiefs media availability ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa on February 08, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs got the NFL offseason rolling on Wednesday with the news of their blockbuster trade, sending two-time All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams for a massive haul of picks, including the No. 29 overall pick in this draft. In addition, the Rams are sending the Chiefs fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2026 and a third-round pick in 2027.
This certainly qualifies as a blockbuster trade, but it’s not exactly a surprise, either. The Chiefs are known for making these types of moves, capitalizing on a star player’s value by trading him for a haul of picks and avoiding having to pay him a big contract. Obviously, Kansas City has issues at cornerback now that McDuffie is in Los Angeles, but they’re betting they can make it work.
Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro G Trey Smith on the Trent McDuffie Trade
Andy Reid and Trey Smith
GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 26: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs shakes hands with Trey Smith #65 after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Chiefs All-Pro G Trey Smith joined the Up & Adams Show on Thursday to discuss the McDuffie trade, among other things, with Kay Adams.
“Yesterday, I don’t even remember what time, but yeah it was a pretty big move,” Smith said on when he heard the news on the Chiefs’ trade. “Man I love Trent McDuffie. Besides on-field Trent McDuffie — dawg, All-Pro player, without a doubt one of the best in the NFL — but in terms of being a great human being, there are qualities with Trent that you don’t see every day.”
“The way he approaches work every day, the way he’s completely focused, he’s task-driven man. He’s a special person and a special player, and it’s something that we’re really gonna miss. I know I’m gonna miss my teammate.”
In his four seasons with the Chiefs, McDuffie had 246 tackles, three interceptions, 34 passes defensed, six sacks, and eight forced fumbles. He made back-to-back All-Pro teams in 2023 and 2024 and is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and impactful cornerbacks in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs G Trey Smith on What He’ll Miss Most About McDuffie
“Honestly, the professionalism,” Smith said on what he would miss the most about having McDuffie on the field for the Chiefs. “The way he operated was cold, efficient, like a killer, man. Like McDuffie, when he stepped on that field, and when the ball gets thrown his direction, it’s like, alright you know that’s not going to happen. It’s gonna get batted down, it’s gonna be incomplete, he’s got that on lock.”
“Obviously, you know what type of player you’re losing: an All-Pro player, once again. Can’t say enough good things about him. But man, the human being that Trent McDuffie is, he’s going to be one of my favorite teammates [in hindsight], a guy that I have so much respect for. And I wish him nothing but success.”