Rams Sign CB Trent McDuffie to Historic Four-Year Extension

Newly-acquired cornerback lands the biggest contract for his position in NFL history.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a four-year, $124 million contract extension with cornerback Trent McDuffie, just days after acquiring him in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. The deal makes McDuffie the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, surpassing recent top-paid players like Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr.

Why it matters

The Rams made a major move to bolster their secondary by trading for McDuffie, one of the league's top young corners. Locking him up long-term with a record-setting contract shows the Rams' commitment to building an elite defense around their new star player.

The details

McDuffie's new deal will pay him an average annual value of $31 million, the highest ever for a cornerback. The contract includes $100 million in guaranteed money, the sixth-highest figure for a defender in NFL history. McDuffie's contract will not take effect until the 2027 season, but it immediately makes him the highest-paid corner in the league, surpassing Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr.

  • The Rams acquired Trent McDuffie in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs just days before agreeing to this contract extension.
  • McDuffie's new four-year, $124 million deal will begin in the 2027 NFL season.

The players

Trent McDuffie

A one-time first-team All-Pro cornerback who was recently traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams.

Sauce Gardner

A top cornerback who was previously the highest-paid player at the position before McDuffie's new contract.

Derek Stingley Jr.

Another highly-paid cornerback who was surpassed by McDuffie's record-setting deal.

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What they’re saying

“We must do whatever it takes to build a championship-caliber defense, and Trent McDuffie is a key piece of that puzzle.”

— Les Snead, General Manager, Los Angeles Rams (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Rams will look to integrate McDuffie into their secondary as they aim to defend their Super Bowl title in the 2027 season.

The takeaway

The Rams have made a major investment in their defense by making Trent McDuffie the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. This move signals their commitment to building an elite unit that can compete for championships in the years to come.