The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down a tough offseason decision-and it centers on one of the most consistent and dynamic pieces of their defense. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, a two-time All-Pro and the latest standout in a long line of elite Chiefs corners, has surfaced as a potential trade candidate. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Tampa Bay could be an ideal landing spot if Kansas City decides it can’t afford to keep McDuffie long-term.
That possibility may sound familiar to Chiefs fans. This is a team that’s made a habit of moving on from talented cornerbacks once the price tag climbs too high.
Just last offseason, L’Jarius Sneed-another homegrown product in the secondary-was dealt to Tennessee rather than signed to a big extension. Before him, it was Charvarius Ward.
Now, it might be McDuffie’s turn.
And make no mistake: McDuffie isn’t just another name in the rotation. Since being drafted in the first round back in 2022, he’s become a cornerstone of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
His versatility, quick instincts, and ability to lock down top receivers have made him a key cog in a unit that’s helped carry Kansas City through multiple deep playoff runs. He’s not just good-he’s elite.
But this situation is a little different than the ones the Chiefs have navigated in the past. In those previous cases, Kansas City had a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.
When Ward left, Sneed stepped up. When Sneed was dealt, McDuffie was already proving himself.
This time around? The succession plan isn’t quite as clear.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano raised that very question-does Kansas City have the next guy ready to go? Right now, the answer seems murky.
Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson have flashed potential, but neither has firmly claimed the mantle of a true No. 1 corner. And to complicate things further, both of them-along with safety Bryan Cook-are set to hit free agency after the upcoming season.
That’s a lot of uncertainty in a secondary that’s been a strength in recent years.
Then there’s the financial picture, which looms large over all of this. The Chiefs are projected to be significantly over the salary cap heading into the 2026 offseason.
With massive contracts already on the books for Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones, adding a big-money extension for McDuffie could stretch the budget beyond its limits. Unless the front office pulls off some serious cap gymnastics, something-or someone-has to give.
This is the tightrope Kansas City has walked so well during its championship window: staying competitive while managing the cap with surgical precision. But McDuffie’s situation might be the biggest test yet.
Do they stick with the “next man up” philosophy that’s worked so well? Or do they make an exception for a player who’s been nothing short of exceptional?
It’s a franchise-defining decision, one that could shape the defense-and the Chiefs’ dynasty ambitions-for years to come.