Year over year, the Kansas City Chiefs build a roster that is able to bring them to the Super Bowl, even if the talent doesn't always look like it could on paper. They have been able to achieve this by keeping around key contributors like Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and most importantly, Patrick Mahomes. On top of that, Kansas City has consistently drafted well.
However, one area of the team Kansas City's front office has yet to hand out a second contract to is the secondary. Chiefs Kingdom expects this trend to change with cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Though the waters on a McDuffie contract extension may have become more muddied after another cornerback got paid. On Tuesday, the New York Jets made Sauce Gardner the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, signing him to a four-year $120.4 million extension, according to Ian Rapoport.
Gardner's hefty price tag likely means McDuffie's price just rose a bit more.
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— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2025
The #Jets and All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner have agreed to terms on a massive new extension, making him the highest-paid CB in NFL history, per The Insiders.
It’s a 4-year, $120.4M deal — $30.1M per year — done by his team - agent @ajv and @allantegardner of @vaynersports. pic.twitter.com/T0Hfr9Pd0P
Trent McDuffie's Price Keeps Skyrocketing After Sauce Gardner's Contract Extension
McDuffie has already had to watch three cornerbacks become the highest-paid at the position this offseason. First, the Carolina Panthers made Jaycee Horn the highest-paid at the position. Then, the Houston Texans beat that with the Derek Stingley Jr. extension, and now the distinction goes to Gardner.
This isn't to say that Gardner doesn't deserve to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. In three seasons, he has earned First Team All-Pro honors twice, made two Pro Bowls, and was named the Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Gardner has accomplished this by recording 181 tackles, 40 pass deflections, and three interceptions. Moreover, he has recorded a pass coverage grade of 90 or above in two of his three seasons, according to PFF.
That said, McDuffie has also played at a very high level since entering the league. In three seasons, the 24-year-old has earned First-Team All-Pro honors once and Second-Team All-Pro honors once. He also earned votes for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.
The Westminster, California native earned these accolades by recording 183 tackles, 10 TFLs, 27 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions. Furthermore, he has never had a coverage grade lower than 75.0, according to PFF.
Despite McDuffie not matching Gardner's success, he's still a great cornerback who is now likely looking to get paid more than Stingley, but less than Gardner. If Kansas City is unable to match that price, he will likely look to free agency next offseason.