The Kansas City Chiefs are facing an offseason filled with unexpected challenges. A disappointing 6-11 record left them out of the playoffs, creating pressure across the roster regarding contracts and future planning. In this climate, a surprising rumour is gaining serious traction within NFL circles: the Chiefs might be open to trading their star cornerback, Trent McDuffie.
The Strategic Leverage Behind a Potential Blockbuster Trade
According to reporting by Jesse Newell of The Athletic, Kansas City could explore trading McDuffie if a long-term contract extension is not quickly agreed upon. This is not portrayed as a move born out of panic, but rather as a calculated use of leverage. The Chiefs have already exercised the fifth-year option on McDuffie's rookie contract for the 2026 season, which is valued at $13 million. While this keeps him under team control, it also establishes a clear deadline for their long-term relationship.
If the franchise's front office is hesitant to commit a contract near the top of the cornerback market, exploring trade alternatives becomes a logical step. McDuffie would command a significant return in a trade. Newell points to the recent deal where the New York Jets received two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner. While McDuffie is not considered at that exact elite level, the expectation is that he could fetch a return in the range of a first-round pick.
This context is crucial. McDuffie is just 25 years old, owns two All-Pro selections (First-Team in 2023, Second-Team in 2024), and plays the premium cornerback position. Players of his calibre and age rarely become available without a major contract dispute.
Financial Realities and Roster Reshaping
The broader context for Kansas City involves managing a tight salary cap and navigating uncertainty, including questions about quarterback Patrick Mahomes' health heading into the 2026 season. If the organisation believes it needs more financial and draft capital flexibility now, trading McDuffie at his peak value transforms from a reckless idea into a calculated strategic option.
McDuffie's on-field performance is not in doubt. Despite missing games with a knee injury in the 2025 season, he finished with 63 tackles, one sack, one interception, and seven passes defended in 13 appearances. His projected market value, according to Spotrac, is approximately $27.9 million per year. This places him in the current cornerback landscape where Sauce Gardner earns $30.1 million annually and Derek Stingley Jr. makes $30 million.
A nuanced football consideration is his role. McDuffie's versatility, particularly his excellence in the slot, drives his unique value. However, this also makes direct financial comparisons with every-down boundary corners more complex for teams to evaluate.
The risk for the Chiefs in keeping him without an extension is losing control of the situation by the 2027 free agency period. While a franchise tag is possible, it is rarely a satisfactory solution for either the player or the team.
What This Means for the Chiefs' Future
This reporting does not confirm a trade is imminent. It confirms that the conversation is actively happening within the league. When such discussions become public, it often indicates the door is at least slightly open. If Kansas City's leadership believes this roster requires a significant reset, similar to the 2022 trade of Tyreek Hill, then Trent McDuffie represents the rare high-value asset capable of dramatically altering an offseason in a single move.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this is a genuine strategy or a negotiating tactic. For now, the possibility of an All-Pro cornerback changing teams has become a compelling storyline for the NFL offseason.
