NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just trade for Trent McDuffie, they simply made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
When the Rams completed a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, they addressed a key need this offseason. But McDuffie was only scheduled for one more year, with his fifth-year option being picked up by Kansas City, although reports indicate the two sides would likely agree to an extension.
The Rams and McDuffie agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension, including $100 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs leaves the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
In turn, McDuffie is now the highest paid at his position in the league with an average annual value of $31 million in new money. He will receive $13.6 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option.
The Rams sent their No. 29 pick in this year’s NFL Draft to acquire McDuffie, along with 2026 fifth- and sixth-round selections and a 2027 third-round pick.
McDuffie, a first-team All-Pro in 2023, has Super Bowl pedigree, playing a starting role in the secondary for two rings as part of the Chiefs’ dominance in recent seasons. He set a career high in tackles last season (63), while totaling seven passes defensed, one sack and one forced fumble.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) takes the field before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
Early in his career, McDuffie has 34 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and 246 combined tackles. He’s one of the best at his position, which is why Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted “damn” after news broke of McDuffie’s move west.
McDuffie, however, returns home, having been born in Westminster, California, which is part of Orange County. He even mentioned the possibility of playing elsewhere than in Kansas City, hoping, on the contrary, that he would return to California.
“If I could play for any other team, I would probably want to play close to my family, so it would probably be the LA Rams so my family could come and watch every game,” McDuffie said at a back-to-school event in August 2025, according to ESPN.
Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
McDuffie’s deal comes ahead of what is expected to be an eventful period for free agents, which begins Monday when the legal tampering window opens at noon ET. Meanwhile, players and teams are allowed to agree to terms for an extension, which will be effective when the new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
Related article
