Quietly, one of the defining stories of the Kansas City Chiefs' 2026 offseason is the future of corner Trent McDuffie. The star defensive back is entering the final year of his rookie deal, playing on a fifth-year club option that opens the door to a 2026 extension.
However, the issues with a potential re-signing are obvious as McDuffie looks to cash in on free agency for the first time in his career. While the corner has been productive, he is undersized and at his best playing in the slot. With this in mind, it could be in Kansas City's best interest to avoid an extension and explore a potential trade.
This wouldn't be the first time the team has taken this path, with L'Jarius Sneed dealt to the Titans to avoid the same contract situation. It is a story that could repeat with McDuffie, with the reasons to move on from the corner obvious. Paying a corner top-dollar player who is unable to play consistently at a high level on the outside is an obvious concern. There isn't a reason to take the risk when the Chiefs are already entering an offseason that is expected to be a mini-rebuild.
A piece of this should be trading McDuffie for a valued draft pick and opening up cap space to help continue retooling the roster. Trading the corner after June 1 will open up $13.6 million in additional cap space and provide the franchise with more flexibility. Steve Spagnuolo's defense has shown an elite ability to develop the secondary, and now is another opportunity for the defensive coordinator to find the team's next surprise contributor.
Stage Appears Set for Chiefs to Explore Offseason Trade of Corner Trent McDuffie
Trading McDuffie now spares the team the headache of negotiations and the potential of overpaying for a piece that isn't worth the deal he will likely garner on the open market. The wiser move is to sit back and open trade discussions, allowing a bidding war to emerge to bring in a draft pick, and open up needed cap space. The move seems far too obvious for the Chiefs to ignore as they look to retool.
Not only does the franchise have quality draft selections in the first three rounds, but Spagnuolo's coaching makes the team a desired landing spot for free agents. If the Chiefs are going to sign a corner for top dollar, it needs to be a player who can dominate on the outside, giving Kansas City a clear veteran it can count on.
Whether it is this path, adding young pieces in the draft, or both, it is clear what path the Chiefs should take. Moving on from McDuffie is the best thing for the franchise and eliminates the possibility that the corner would walk for nothing as a free agent.