The Kansas City Chiefs are in the midst of another busy offseason, looking to stay ahead of the curve while maintaining their status as one of the league’s most well-rounded franchises.
With General Manager Brett Veach continuing to tinker with both sides of the ball, the team’s focus has primarily centered on maintaining strength in key areas.
Kansas City should lock in McDuffie before it’s too late
McDuffie, entering his fourth NFL season, has quietly become one of the most consistent and impactful defenders on Kansas City’s roster.
Drafted 21st overall in 2022, he’s developed into a reliable presence in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
After a solid rookie campaign and a statistically strong sophomore season, McDuffie elevated his game even further in year three, earning a First-Team All-Pro nod and making his mark across multiple facets of the game.
What sets McDuffie apart is not only his coverage ability but also his rare versatility.
Once Chiefs GM Brett Veach can work out a Trey Smith extension, next on the docket will be new deals for George Karlaftis and Trent McDuffiehttps://t.co/suV3OdxSmI pic.twitter.com/1u49fciWFe
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 18, 2025
In 2023, he played and started in 16 regular-season games, racking up 59 tackles, two interceptions, and 13 passes defended.
According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a stellar 90.5 grade in pass rush defense, placing him among the top 10 of all NFL cornerbacks in that category.
His overall grade of 83.1 also ranked him third among qualified players at his position.
For a defense that ranked among the top ten in total yards allowed last season, McDuffie was a major contributor.
And while the Chiefs were able to move on from fellow cornerback L’Jarius Sneed thanks to McDuffie’s presence, the equation changes now that McDuffie himself is due for an extension.
Cornerback contracts are surging, with Derek Stingley Jr. setting a new bar at $90 million over three years.
McDuffie’s value may eclipse that, especially if the Chiefs delay negotiations.
While Andy Reid’s coaching history leans toward building secondaries with cost-effective talent, McDuffie has proven himself to be an exception worth making.
Kansas City is built to win now, and keeping a player of McDuffie’s caliber is essential to that formula.
If the Chiefs want to continue fielding a top-tier defense, extending their All-Pro cornerback should be a priority before the market resets again.
