Trent McDuffie
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 21: Trent McDuffie #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on after his team's 27-19 victory against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
A former Kansas City Chiefs defensive star and Super Bowl champion just signed a massive, record-breaking extension with his new team. The Chiefs sent two-time All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie, a former first-round pick, to the Rams just three days ago for a haul of picks rather than signing him to an extension of this magnitude. And now McDuffie has gotten paid.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs and Rams got a head start on the free agency news cycle with the news of their blockbuster trade. In exchange for McDuffie, Los Angeles sent Kansas City the No. 29 overall pick in this upcoming draft as well as fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2026 and a third-round pick in 2027. That’s quite the return even for a player of McDuffie’s caliber, and the Chiefs can use those picks to retool a roster that has a few weak spots.
In his four seasons with the Chiefs, McDuffie had 246 tackles, three interceptions, 34 passes defensed, six sacks, and eight forced fumbles. He was twice named a first-team AP All-Pro, in 2023 and 2024.
Former Kansas City Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie Just Got Paid
Trent McDuffie
GettyARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 27: George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys is pursued by Trent McDuffie #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs during a game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Chiefs 31-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Earlier Sunday evening, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported that the Rams were making progress on a massive extension for McDuffie. Shortly after, ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced that the deal is done: four-years and $124 million, with $100 million of that guaranteed. The $31 million per year mark sets a record for cornerbacks, making McDuffie the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
The Chiefs didn’t want to spend that much to retain McDuffie, so a trade makes a lot of sense. It’s similar to what Kansas City did a few years ago with WR Tyreek Hill: send out a star player in his prime for a load of draft picks, and use those picks to bring in a bunch of young talent at affordable costs.
It makes sense when you consider the Chiefs are constrained by the money they’re paying QB Patrick Mahomes. Finding creative ways to add talent around such a highly-paid player is one of the downsides to paying a quarterback that much money. In fact, McDuffie was one of the players Kansas City hit on in the draft after they traded Hill. McDuffie’s immediate impact helped them win a Super Bowl.
The Kansas City Chiefs Have Some Work to Do on Their Roster
While trading away McDuffie does make financial sense, it leaves the Chiefs pretty thin in the secondary. Not only that, but Kansas City already had concerns along the defensive line, at wide receiver, and at running back.
Armed now with two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, the Chiefs can attack their needs with premium young talent on cost-controlled deals — just as they did a few years ago. Smart shopping on the free agent market should help, as well, with some veterans brought in on reasonable deals at positions of need. If the Chiefs do this right, they can be right back to contending for a Super Bowl in 2026.