With the Chiefs handing out contract extensions, is Trent McDuffie next in line?
The Chiefs have been on a contract extension kick lately, signing defensive end George Karlaftis and guard Trey Smith in the past few weeks. Those happened after extending linebacker Nick Bolton and center Creed Humphrey.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie would seem to be next in line.
The Chiefs say they’re looking for a way to make it happen.
“We have guys that you draft and develop and they’ve done everything above and beyond what you ever hoped for,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. “It goes without saying those are the guys we’re most driven to figure out a way to keep him in Kansas City for a long time.”
Earlier this week, McDuffie mostly deflected contract talk but said, “I love being a Chief. I know the contract stuff will come.”
Topping the NFL’s cornerback market is Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets, who signed a four-year extension worth $30.1 million annually. He reset the market set by the Houston Texans’ Derek Stingley at $30 million.
“The market has exploded,” Veach said. “It’s a little tricky, but you know we’ll certainly try to get as creative as we can to make that happen at some point.”
The Chiefs have exercised the fifth-year option on McDuffie, guaranteeing him a $13.6 million contract for 2026. They did the same for Karlaftis before signing him to a four-year, $93 million contract in June.
McDuffie is considered one of the NFL’s top corners. He was named AP first team All-Pro in 2023 and second team last year. He’s the NFL’s highest graded cornerback by Pro Football Focus over the past two seasons.
All three of his NFL seasons have ended in the Super Bowl, with two victories before last year’s defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.
McDuffie was the Chiefs’ first draft pick in 2022, the No. 21 selection after the team traded with the New England Patriots to move up eight spots. Last season he was credited with 13 passes defended and came up with his first two interceptions. Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said the organization prioritizes players drafted by Kansas City.
“One of the themes you saw was rewarding players we had drafted,” Hunt said. “I’m a big believer that you build teams through the draft. I don’t want to speak specifically about any one player, but it is a priority for us to keep the nucleus of the team together.”
McDuffie says improvement is on his mind more than a potential new deal.
“This year for me, it’s really just about how well I can consistently be doing my job, week in, week out,” McDuffie said. “I know things happen throughout the season, but not letting those small bumps affect me mentally. Not letting those small bumps knock me off what I was originally doing and continue to just push through, keep thriving.”