The Kansas City Chiefs will open up their 2025 campaign this weekend, but one star cornerback, Trent McDuffie, might be auditioning for a new team this season as he has yet to agree on a contract extension. According to reports, the Chiefs and the cornerback were in conversations and negotiations for a new deal that would keep him for a couple of more years at least in Kansas City. However, the two parties were not able to agree, so if this continues well into next year, this could mean bad news for the Chiefs. McDuffie has become one of the most ferocious defenders in the league, right behind pass-rusher Chris Jones, and has no plans of slowing down after taking over the starting cornerback role since the L’Jarius Sneed trade.
Originally selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Washington product will probably aim to become the highest-paid cornerback in the league as he enters the 2025 season with an expiring contract. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is optimistic that a deal will come together at some point, but things may fall apart if McDuffie continues to play off the charts and is having another phenomenal season. McDuffie is coming off a spectacular campaign, recording two interceptions and 13 pass breakups, so it’s only a matter of time before he gets his next contract. However, for the sake of this article and knowing how the league functions, here are three hypothetical trade destinations if the two can’t reach a deal.
Breaking: Chiefs Star Trent McDuffie Might Be “Auditioning” for New Team – Contract Talks Falling Apart?
Next Possible Teams
New Orleans Saints
Despite improving the passing offense for quarterback Spencer Rattler, the New Orleans Saints have one of the worst cornerback units in the league. The team lost Paulso Adebo through free agency and traded Marshon Lattimore last year, so they have a lot of work to do in that area. Even though the sky looks like it could be the limit for Rattler incoming this 2025 campaign due to the talent he has, it won’t matter if the defensive secondary can’t make plays. The last thing the Saints want to do is position this team into several situations where it could lead to a shootout.
This doesn’t mean Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor are atrocious, but there is a lot of room for improvement. After finding a way to sign former Chief, Justin Reid, to salvage the safety unit, who’s to say they can’t do the same for the cornerback room?
Washington Commanders
However, the Washington Commanders will probably be postseason contenders as long as quarterback Jayden Daniels stays consistent, which is likely the case. While they’re bringing back Marshon Lattimore, they did lose Benjamin St-Juste in the same offseason. They’ve signed a temporary solution in Jonathan Jones, but the Commanders should still be in the market for a long-term cornerback. McDuffie in Washington makes a lot of sense for the direction they’re trying to go.
Dallas Cowboys
Much like the Saints, the Cowboys could do better in their cornerback unit. Despite extending DaRon Bland, the Cowboys still have some question marks about Trevon Diggs and his future. If the team were willing to trade Micah Parsons this offseason, it shouldn’t be surprising if they do the same here midseason to Diggs. After trading for Kaiir Elam and signing a few depth guys, Dallas wouldn’t lose much, but McDuffie pairing with Bland is the obvious upgrade.
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