Chiefs Trade All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie to Rams

Kansas City receives four draft picks in the deal as they look to reshape roster through the draft.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs have traded standout cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for four draft picks, including the No. 29 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. McDuffie, a first-team All-Pro in 2023, was entering the final year of his rookie deal after the Chiefs exercised his fifth-year option. The move clears $13.6 million from Kansas City's salary cap as they look to reinvest in their roster through the draft.

Why it matters

The trade of McDuffie, one of the league's top young defensive backs, signals a shift in the Chiefs' approach as they look to reshape their roster following a disappointing 6-11 season. It echoes previous high-profile decisions by GM Brett Veach to trade away star players like Tyreek Hill in order to accumulate draft capital and maintain their championship window.

The details

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Chiefs will receive the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with a fifth-round pick this year and a sixth-round pick this year. They will also get a 2027 third-round selection. McDuffie, a 25-year-old Southern California native, is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Rams, reuniting him with assistant coach Jimmy Lake, who coached him at the University of Washington.

  • The trade was announced on March 5, 2026.

The players

Trent McDuffie

A 25-year-old cornerback who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and second-team All-Pro in 2024 for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was originally selected 21st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has previously made high-profile trades to reshape the team's roster.

Patrick Mahomes

The quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who expressed surprise at the trade on social media.

Jimmy Lake

An assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams who previously coached Trent McDuffie at the University of Washington.

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What they’re saying

“Damn.”

— Patrick Mahomes (Twitter)

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to use the draft picks acquired in the trade to help rebuild their roster following a disappointing 6-11 season. McDuffie is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Rams and will look to continue his All-Pro level of play in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The trade of Trent McDuffie signals a shift in the Chiefs' approach as they look to reshape their roster through the draft. It echoes previous high-profile decisions by GM Brett Veach to trade away star players in order to accumulate draft capital and maintain their championship window, even if it means parting with one of the league's top young defensive backs.