The Washington Commanders are staring down a critical offseason, and one look at their secondary makes it clear: help is needed-and fast. After a 2025 season that fell far short of expectations, especially following their NFC Championship run the year prior, the Commanders are in full reset mode. And if there’s one area screaming for attention, it’s the pass defense.
Washington finished near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed per game, ranking fifth-worst in that category. That’s not a stat you want to see if you’re trying to build a playoff-caliber defense.
The cornerback room, in particular, is set for a major shake-up. Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene are both heading into free agency, and veteran Marson Lattimore is widely expected to be a cap casualty.
So where does that leave the Commanders? In need of a proven cornerback-and Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie might just be the perfect fit.
McDuffie is entering the final year of his rookie contract, a four-year, $13 million deal, and there’s growing buzz that the Chiefs might be willing to move him. Kansas City is facing a brutal cap situation, projected to be $62.5 million over the limit in 2026. That kind of financial crunch forces tough decisions, and the Chiefs have a track record of flipping talented corners before having to pay them-see Marcus Peters and L’Jarius Sneed.
If history repeats itself, McDuffie could be next.
From Washington’s perspective, the timing couldn’t be better. At just 25 years old, McDuffie brings the kind of youth and upside that fits perfectly into a rebuild.
He’s already got two Super Bowl rings under his belt and has shown he can play both inside and outside-versatility that’s becoming increasingly valuable in today’s NFL. He’s more than just a stopgap; he could be a foundational piece for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Quinn, who’s known for building tough, disciplined units, would likely relish the chance to work with a player like McDuffie. The Commanders’ defense bled points last season, and the current secondary is a mix of aging vets and unproven talent. McDuffie wouldn’t just fill a hole-he’d raise the ceiling of the entire unit.
Financially, Washington is in a good spot. They’ve got the flexibility to not only trade for McDuffie but also extend him, locking in a young, high-level corner at a time when elite secondary talent is at a premium. And because he’s on an expiring deal, the trade cost likely wouldn’t be sky-high-another win for a team looking to retool without mortgaging the future.
For the Chiefs, this could mark the beginning of a transition year. After missing the playoffs for the first time in what feels like forever, and with the salary cap looming like a storm cloud, Kansas City may have to make some tough calls. Trading McDuffie would hurt in the short term, but it could be part of a broader reset that keeps the team competitive long-term.
If Kansas City does decide to move on, Washington makes a ton of sense as a landing spot. The fit is there, the need is glaring, and the financials line up. McDuffie could be exactly the kind of player who helps the Commanders turn the page-and turn the corner-on a rough 2025 season.