The Kansas City Chiefs have built a sustained winner over the last decade. As a result, they have reached four Super Bowls in the last five seasons. A key aspect of Kansas City's success has been finding key contributors in the NFL draft.
One of the Chiefs' most important defensive contributors has been cornerback Trent McDuffie, whom they drafted with the 21st pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Since entering the league, the 24-year-old has earned All-Pro honors twice. This offseason was an important one for him and the Chiefs, as the franchise had the opportunity to use the fifth-year option on him.
So far, Kansas City has not exercised the option, but they still have about a week to do so. On Monday, McDuffie provided an update on his contract negotiations with the Chiefs. According to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, McDuffie said, "When you talk about money, as long as I do my job on the field, that will come." He added, "My job is to focus 100% on football."
#Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie: "When you talk about money, as long as I do my job on the field, that will come."
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) April 21, 2025
He says he's letting his agent handle any contract negotiations: "My job is to focus 100% on football."
Trent McDuffie Send Clear Message About His Contract Negotiations
MuDuffie's comments are exactly what Chiefs fans want to hear. Kansas City has been forced to trade two key pieces to their team before because of soured contract negotiations.
In 2022, the Chiefs traded star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins after failing to come to terms on an extension with him. Then, last offseason, Kansas City traded cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for the same reason.
Nonetheless, just because the 24-year-old says he isn't focused on the money, it doesn't mean he doesn't believe he deserves it. Earlier this offseason, the Houston Texans extended cornerback Derek Stingley for three years, $90 million.
McDuffie has accomplished much more in the same amount of time as Stingley. Therefore, his agent is certainly focused on getting him more money than Stingley.
This is likely why a contract extension between the two parties has yet to be finalized. That said, the clock is ticking. If McDuffie enters this season without an extension, his price will likely only increase, making it even more difficult for the Chiefs to keep him for the long run.