The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest questions looming over their roster is what to do with standout cornerback Trent McDuffie. With the team low on draft capital and facing tough decisions across the secondary, McDuffie’s name has surfaced as a potential trade chip-and there’s a scenario being floated that could work out well for both sides.
Enter the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams, armed with a pair of first-round picks after trading down last year, are in a unique position. They came within striking distance of the Super Bowl, and with 38-year-old Matthew Stafford still slinging it at a high level, there's a clear sense of urgency. General Manager Les Snead has never been shy about pushing his chips to the center of the table, and this offseason might be another one of those moments.
McDuffie, for his part, is no throw-in. He’s a Pro Bowl-caliber slot corner who brings tenacity and versatility to the field.
He’s physical at the line, aggressive in coverage, and smart in space-exactly the kind of player who can elevate a defense from good to great. But here’s the rub: the Chiefs likely aren’t planning to extend him.
That makes the idea of flipping him for a high first-round pick all the more appealing for Kansas City GM Brett Veach.
The Chiefs have needs to address-on both sides of the ball-and a premium draft pick would go a long way in helping them retool while staying competitive in the AFC arms race. This is a team that’s always thinking two steps ahead, and if they believe they can maintain secondary depth without McDuffie, it’s a move they’d likely make without hesitation.
And that depth will be tested. Safety Bryan Cook and cornerback Jaylen Watson are both headed for free agency.
While neither is a star on McDuffie’s level, both have been key rotational pieces in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Letting one or both walk wouldn’t be a surprise-it’s a familiar playbook for the Chiefs, who have often chosen to develop young talent over paying to keep mid-tier veterans.
The real question, though, is whether the Rams view McDuffie as their guy. They’ve gone big at the cornerback position before, trading for Marcus Peters (which didn’t pan out) and later for Jalen Ramsey (which definitely did). They’re one-for-two on splashy corner trades, but McDuffie could tip the scales back in their favor.
At just 25, McDuffie fits the Rams’ timeline. He’s young enough to be a long-term piece, but experienced enough to make an immediate impact.
His fifth-year option in 2026 would cost $13.6 million-not cheap, but manageable for a team that’s spent among the least in the league on defense the past two seasons. If the Rams want to make a serious push while Stafford’s still got it, this is the kind of calculated risk that could pay off in a big way.
And let’s not forget: this is the same franchise that once embraced the “Eff Them Picks” mantra en route to a Super Bowl title. If Snead is feeling that same energy again, McDuffie could be the next big move in a front office playbook that’s never been afraid to swing for the fences.
For the Chiefs, it’s about value-getting the most out of a player they likely won’t be able to keep long-term. For the Rams, it’s about seizing a window that won’t stay open forever.
If this deal comes together, it could be one of the offseason’s most impactful moves. Stay tuned.