Arrowhead Pride
Last time these two played, McDuffie was manning the slot.
The last time Kansas City Chiefs star cornerback Trent McDuffie played against the Philadelphia Eagles (in last year’s regular season), he predominantly played from the slot while ex-teammate and current Tennessee Titan L’Jarius Sneed held down the perimeter.
Fast forward to this year, and the gauntlet of being the man on the outside has fallen at McDuffie’s feet. It’s a challenge he has taken head-on and is looking forward to on Sunday in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
To prepare for the game, McDuffie said he watched Super Bowl LIVII, in which the Chiefs defeated the Eagles — and the 2024 matchup, in which the Eagles defeated their home team.
“Honestly, really just looking at how they were attacking us, seeing just the things that I can improve upon as far as technique-wise,” explained McDuffie from the podium on Wednesday. “I’m on the outside this time, so just watching more tape on A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.”
It’s a challenge that McDuffie says he relishes, especially within the brand of defense the Chiefs play.
“I love how aggressive coach [defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] is,” McDuffie said. “To play in a defense like that. It’s been a lot of fun because he’s going to utilize you in multiple ways. So I always say, like before the game pre-week, it takes a little bit more discipline to really know your plays — studying and making sure you know at each certain situation what we can call knowing that he will call certain plays. Just knowing that at the end of the day like he’s going to trust us to go out there and make plays. And that gives you a lot of confidence.”
This is as big of a stage as you will find in football. There has never been a bigger game in the game's history, and because of that, McDuffie said you have to play as close to perfect as possible.
“[We gotta] watch the film, making sure that on the back end, we know what we’re doing, you know, and don’t have any mistakes... I say it’s one of them games where it’s just a man-on-man, It’s who at the end of the day, is going to do their best technique-wise and who’s going to make the most plays? We love these challenges. We love being in these moments when you get to go against two top receivers really in the league, and I know at the backing we’re excited to go out there and compete.”
“A.J. Brown does a really good job being physical at the point of attack, going up, getting the ball,” said McDuffie, complimenting his upcoming foe. “He’s got a great catch radius, and he’s someone that (Philadelphia quarterback) Jalen Hurts really trusts.”
With a guy Brown’s size and strength, McDuffie said it’s important to match “fire with fire.”
“AJ Brown’s physical,” he repeated. “And likes to get dirty, you...
