Could the Chiefs Move On From Trent McDuffie? Cap Concerns and Contract Talks Loom Large
Trent McDuffie’s time in Kansas City may be nearing a crossroads.
Drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after the Chiefs traded up to grab him out of Washington, McDuffie has been a key piece in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense-versatile, physical, and reliable in coverage. But with the financial picture tightening and his rookie contract inching closer to its end, the Chiefs may soon have to make a tough decision.
Here’s where things get interesting: McDuffie is under contract through the 2026 season, but he’ll be eligible for an extension after the 2025 campaign. If negotiations don’t gain traction, Kansas City could explore a trade-similar to how they handled the Tyreek Hill situation. That’s not to say it’s inevitable, but it’s certainly on the radar.
The Chiefs are projected to be in a significant cap bind heading into 2026. With big-money deals already on the books-think Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and others-Kansas City has to be strategic about where their dollars go. McDuffie, as talented as he is, could be a casualty of that financial reality if the front office doesn’t believe a long-term deal is feasible.
This wouldn’t be the first time Kansas City has considered bold moves to manage their cap. Before the trade deadline, the Chiefs reportedly offered a fourth-round pick to the Jets for running back Breece Hall.
That came during a flurry of activity from New York, who had just moved All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner to the Colts and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. While that Hall deal didn’t materialize, it showed the Chiefs are willing to swing big if the right opportunity presents itself.
Meanwhile, McDuffie made headlines for a different reason during the Chiefs’ Week 12 overtime win over the Colts. Early in the game, he was flagged-well, not officially, but certainly financially-for a facemask penalty on Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
The play didn’t draw a flag on the field, but the league reviewed the tape and deemed it worthy of a fine. McDuffie was docked $11,593 for unnecessary roughness, the standard fine for a first-time facemask infraction.
That moment doesn’t define McDuffie’s season, but it does highlight the physical edge he brings to the secondary. He’s the kind of corner who plays with controlled aggression, often toeing the line between legal and costly. It’s part of what makes him effective-and part of why he’s so valuable on the field.
But value on the field doesn’t always align with value on the books. And as the Chiefs look ahead to a cap-constrained future, they’ll have to weigh McDuffie’s impact against the price tag that’s coming. If they believe an extension is out of reach, don’t be surprised if trade rumors start heating up this offseason.
For now, McDuffie remains a key cog in one of the league’s top defenses. But as we’ve seen before in Kansas City, even foundational players can be moved when the financial puzzle demands it.