Sportsnaut
The Kansas City Chiefs need to make some changes this offseason coming off a six-win campaign, creating more cap space and adjusting the roster to create a better supporting cast for when Patrick Mahomes is healthy. One potential move could be a Trent McDuffie trade.
McDuffie is a two-time All-Pro selection who has proven instrumental to the team reaching Super Bowls and once hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. However, the going rate for the NFL’s best cornerbacks is now $27 million or more per season. Given that McDuffie is primarily a slot corner and tends to struggle against big-bodied wideouts, that might not be a price general manager Brett Veach is willing to pay.
With that in mind, let us examine some potential trade landing spots for McDuffie.
Trent McDuffie will only be 26 years old in September, so any team acquiring him would be getting his prime years. The Dallas Cowboys have already shown a willingness to be very aggressive on the trade market, and there is a glaring need in their secondary. McDuffie would give Dallas an All-Pro cornerback whom it could align at the nickel or on the outside depending on the matchup, providing a dependable presence in coverage to help this pass defense. It would only be a step toward improvement for Dallas defensively, but it would be a big one.
Read More: NFL Power Rankings after Wild Card Round, One Player Each Team Should Re-Sign
The Washington Commanders’ front office gambled once on a blockbuster trade for a cornerback, but it backfired with Marshon Lattimore. This situation is different because Trent McDuffie is much younger than Lattimore was at the time of the trade; he offers greater durability and provides a better track record of consistency. Washington would also have the long-term cap space to make this work, as Jayden Daniels is still under the terms of a rookie contract for the next three seasons. The key is building a stronger team around Daniels, and that includes the defense. Plus, releasing Lattimore would create more financial flexibility to facilitate an extension for McDuffie.
Read More: David Montgomery Trade Landing Spots, including the Chiefs
The one glaring hole on the Los Angeles Rams’ roster is at cornerback, and they do have a pair of first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Given Les Snead’s history of trading premium draft capital to acquire All-Pro talent, it is not out of the question that Trent McDuffie could wind up in Los Angeles. Kansas City could feel better about keeping him out of the AFC, and the Rams would have a difference-maker in the secondary who could take this defense to the next level. If Matthew Stafford returns, such a move arguably makes Los Angeles the team to beat in the NFL next season.
Related: Kansas City Chiefs Offseason Moves to Create Cap Space
Yes, the L’Jarius Sneed trade backfired for the Tennessee Titans. However, that was...
