The Kansas City Chiefs have an obvious void at cornerback after trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams. Not only will McDuffie play elsewhere in the 2026 season, but Jaylon Watson is scheduled to hit free agency and could leave the Chiefs down two starters before the 2026 offseason has officially gotten underway.
With this in mind, it makes sense that the Chiefs are paying close attention to the market at the position. This should include a former rival that hit the market on Friday after something of a surprise release. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler broke the news, reporting the "Bills are releasing corner Taron Johnson after eight seasons together, per source. Johnson started 87 games for Buffalo and became an All-Pro in 2023."
Already, this is a great development for the Chiefs as it weakens a rival and allows Kansas City to steal a former impact player from the Bills. As the roster currently stands, Johnson would step in and instantly start for the Kansas City defense, giving defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo a needed, reliable answer.
Chiefs Have Perfect Opportunity to Steal from Buffalo After Taron Johnson's Release
Johnson is coming off a down year, only managing to hold opposing quarterbacks to a 97.8 passer rating when targeted and not offering a single interception. This goes a long way towards explaining why the Bills decided to part ways with the corner and shows the obvious opportunity that lies ahead of the Chiefs. Kansas City can buy low and rebuild a player who has previously played at a high level for an incredibly competitive playoff team.
Even if the Chiefs manage to re-sign Watson, they're going to need to replace McDuffie, and that could be exactly the opportunity Johnson presents. The corner fits perfectly into Spagnuolo's system and is a piece the Chiefs are familiar with, given all the recent, high-stakes matchups against the Bills. Johnson even had a game-winning interception against Patrick Mahomes back in the 2022 season, so Kansas City's leader between the numbers is well aware of Johnson's abilities.
Still, the defender is only 29, leaving every reason to believe there are still productive seasons ahead for the corner. Kansas City should be able to find this out without assuming much financial risk, given Johnson's stock is lower than it has been in past seasons. There are far more interesting targets set to hit the market, as well.
The Chiefs have a chance to acquire a potential bargain by adding a player from a team with whom there is no love lost. Kansas City should, at the very least, gauge the potential market cost and see if Johnson would be interested in joining the superior franchise. It simply makes far too much sense for both sides as the Chiefs continue to search for answers at the position.