Trent McDuffie has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs' defense. As one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, his value is undeniable-not just to the Chiefs, but to any team eyeing top-tier defensive talent.
Entering his fifth season, McDuffie is playing under a team option that the Chiefs wisely exercised last year. This fifth-year option, a perk of being a first-round pick, was a no-brainer for Kansas City, considering how integral McDuffie is to Steve Spagnuolo's defensive schemes.
However, this option comes with a hefty price tag-over $13 million in 2026. With free agency looming afterward, the Chiefs are facing a financial puzzle. They started the offseason with the league’s tightest cap situation, leading to moves like releasing Mike Danna and restructuring Patrick Mahomes' contract.
Despite these challenges, the Chiefs appear committed to retaining McDuffie. General Manager Brett Veach has expressed his desire to secure a long-term deal, reinforcing this stance at the 2026 NFL Combine.
Veach spoke candidly about McDuffie's future, stating, "We’ve had a lot of dialogue with Trent... Looking forward to getting with him.
Obviously, Trent’s a great player, and we’ll see what we can do there. We’d certainly love to have Trent back and for the long term."
Our own Josh Queipo projects that extending McDuffie could cost the Chiefs around $117 million over five seasons, factoring in his current option, or a four-year, $104 million deal beyond 2026. This would rank him third among NFL cornerbacks, allowing the Chiefs to secure his talents while adding another layer to their financial strategy.
Kansas City has shown a pattern of locking down key young players with long-term contracts, including linebacker Nick Bolton and center Creed Humphrey. With significant commitments already made to stars like Chris Jones and Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are navigating a cap-heavy roster even before finalizing McDuffie's future.
McDuffie's prowess as the team’s premier pass defender, underscored by his two All-Pro selections in four seasons, highlights his indispensable role in Kansas City. While nothing is set in stone, it seems Veach is determined to keep McDuffie wearing the Chiefs' colors for many seasons to come.