The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive backfield will be filled by newbies in 2026.
Last week, the Chiefs traded All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for four draft picks, including one of the Rams’ 2026 first-round picks (No. 29 overall). The Rams agreed to give McDuffie a historic extension that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history once the move is finalized at the start of the new league year on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST.
While free agency doesn’t officially open until the new league year arrives, the legal tampering period began today at noon EST. Since then, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Rams have also reached an agreement with Chiefs free-agent cornerback Jaylen Watson. Now, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Chiefs will lose a third defensive star from their 2022 draft class that helped them win back-to-back Super Bowls.
“The Bengals are signing former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.25 million deal, sources tell The Insiders,” Pelissero wrote on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the contract will pay Cook $18 million in the first year.
The Chiefs drafted Cook in the second round (No. 62 overall) in 2022 out of the University of Cincinnati. Cook was born and raised in Cincinnati, so once finalized, his move to the Bengals will mark a homecoming - just like McDuffie joining his hometown Rams.
After the Chiefs lost safety Justin Reid to New Orleans in free agency last March, Cook stepped up and excelled in an expanded role last season. He started all 17 regular-season games. “Last season, Pro Football Focus gave him an 83.5 overall grade (fifth-highest among DBs with a minimum of 500 snaps) and 83.2 coverage grade (sixth),” Pelissero wrote last week.
The Bengals need all the help they can get. Last season, Cincinnati finished dead last in rushing defense (147.1 yards per game), second-to-last in total yards allowed (380.9), and third-worst in points allowed per game (28.9).
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