When the Kansas City Chiefs decided on their second offseason overhaul of the Patrick Mahomes era going into the 2026 season (the other being the 2022 offseason), fans knew that big things were coming. And going. One of those departing pieces that have made the Chiefs so great in recent years was former first-round cornerback Trent McDuffie.
General Manager Brett Veach is always calculating and one move he decided might be best is to trade the All-Pro CB to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a bevy of draft picks, that includes a third rounder in next years draft as well as picks used this season on DT Peter Woods (1st Round), RB Emmett Johnson (5th Round), and QB Garrett Nussmeier (7th Round).
While it's impossible, just a few months removed from the transaction, to determine the winner/loser of the trade, more often than not in the NFL when there is a deal between two elite front offices, it's generally a win/win. So far in training camp, Woods is lighting it up on the d-line and dominating in one-on-one reps; Johnson is continuously making plays each day in the backfield, and Nussmeier has flashed, potentially etching himself a spot on the 53-man roster.
For the Rams, McDuffie is doing Trent McDuffie things. All reports out of the Rams camp are that the two-time Super Bowl champ and former first-round pick is looking every bit the part. He even punched the ball out of superstar receiver Puka Nacua's hands in practice, causing an impressive incompletion.
CB Trent McDuffie breaks up the deep shot to Puka Nacua pic.twitter.com/HG7rsX8SSp
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) August 3, 2026
The Chiefs' secondary will have to be greater than the sum of its parts to replace the superstar efforts of Trent McDuffie
In his four years in KC, McDuffie was an elite-level starter from day one. His coverage skills are among the best in the league, and his instincts and feel of the game are next level. While he tallied only three interceptions in 66 career games, he forced nine fumbles, recorded 5.5 sacks, 47 pass deflections, and over 280 total tackles (15 TFL).
Losing a player of his caliber is never easy, and it'll take a unit-wide defensive effort to replace the trio of McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook's contributions to the secondary. Sixth-overall pick Mansoor Delane remains in a yellow non-contact jersey, but for the time being, it seems like the Chiefs are just being precautionary with their highest draft investment in a decade.
Not only did the Chiefs recoup draft picks in exchange for McDuffie, but they also did not have to pay him the massive four-year, $124 million deal he signed with LA. It gives Veach roster and financial flexibility over the coming years to continue building well-rounded rosters around Patrick Mahomes, who remains in the middle of his prime at just 30 years old.
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