NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Los Angeles Rams didn’t just trade for Trent McDuffie — they just made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
When the Rams made a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, they addressed an important need this offseason. But McDuffie was only set for one more year with his fifth-year option picked up by Kansas City, though reports said both sides were likely to agree to an extension.
The Rams and McDuffie agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension, including $100 million in guaranteed money, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs leaves the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
In return, McDuffie is now the highest paid at his position in the league with an average annual value of $31 million in new money. He will be paid $13.6 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option.
The Rams sent their No. 29 pick in this year’s NFL Draft to acquire McDuffie, as well as 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks and 2027 third-round picks.
McDuffie, a first-team All-Pro in 2023, has Super Bowl pedigree and has played a starting role in the secondary for two rings as part of the Chiefs’ dominance in recent seasons. He set a career high in tackles last season (63), while totaling seven passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) takes the field prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
In his early career, McDuffie has 34 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and 246 combined tackles. He’s one of the best at his position, which is why Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted “damn” after the news that McDuffie was moving west.
However, McDuffie goes home after being born in Westminster, California, which is part of Orange County. He even discussed the possibility of playing somewhere other than Kansas City, hoping if anything he would go back to California.
“If I could play for another team, I’d probably want to play close to my family, so it would probably be the LA Rams, so my family could come and watch every game,” McDuffie said during a back-to-school event in August 2025, according to ESPN.
Trent McDuffie of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
McDuffie’s deal comes ahead of what is expected to be a hectic free agent period beginning Monday, when the legal manipulation window opens at 1 p.m. During that time, players and teams are allowed to agree to the terms of an extension, which would be completed when the new league year begins on March 11 at 16 A.M.
Related article
