Sources: Chiefs trade top CB McDuffie to Rams

The Rams and Chiefs have agreed to a trade sending All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles for a package of draft picks that includes the No. 29 selection in the 2026 NFL draft, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

McDuffie, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal, is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Rams, sources told Schefter. In April, the Chiefs exercised the fifth-year option in McDuffie's contract, making his 2026 salary of $13.6 million fully guaranteed.

Along with pick No. 29, the Chiefs will receive 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks and a 2027 third-round pick, the sources told Schefter.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was among Kansas City's players to react on social media after news of the trade broke, writing "damn" in a post to X on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, when asked what he would like to add to the secondary this offseason, Rams general manager Les Snead said after doing an "after-action review," the goal is to start "figuring out, is there an All-Pro that you could add?"

Cornerback was a top need for the Rams going into free agency and the draft, as they had four pending free agents at the position.

In August, while hosting a back-to-school event in Kansas City, McDuffie was asked what other team he'd like to play for if he didn't play for the Chiefs.

"You're going to get me in trouble," McDuffie said with a smile. "Let's think. If I could play for another team, I'd probably want to play close to my family, so that would probably be the L.A. Rams so that my family could come see every single game."

McDuffie is from Southern California and played his senior year of high school at St. John Bosco High School. He also played for Rams passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake at the University of Washington in 2019.

The Rams still have one first-round pick (No. 13) after trading back with the Falcons during the 2025 draft.

The Rams have made one first-round pick since 2017, when they took Jared Verse 19th overall in 2024. That's five fewer first-round picks than any other team from 2017 to '25, according to ESPN Research.

For the past three seasons, McDuffie had been the Chiefs' second-best defender behind pass rusher Chris Jones. Whether he lined up from the nickel or on the perimeter, McDuffie was exceptional in coverage and as an occasional blitzer. Last season, McDuffie recorded one interception, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one sack.

McDuffie's best individual season was in 2024, when he recorded two interceptions and 13 pass breakups, both career highs, along with 59 tackles, four quarterback hits and one forced fumble.

For Chiefs general manager Brett Veach, McDuffie was the first draft selection -- and the highest draft pick of his tenure, which began in 2017 -- in the team's pivotal 2022 class, which included two first-round picks following the blockbuster trade that sent receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins.

The 2022 draft class -- also featuring defensive end George Karlaftis, running back Isiah Pacheco, safety Bryan Cook, linebacker Leo Chenal and cornerback Jaylen Watson -- helped the Chiefs further establish themselves as the NFL's most recent dynasty. The Chiefs won back-to-back Super Bowls and reached the championship game again in 2024, becoming the first repeat champion to reach the Super Bowl for a third consecutive time. In 10 postseason games, McDuffie generated 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Watson, Chenal, Cook and Pacheco are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next week.

This is the second time in three years the Chiefs have traded a top cornerback instead of handing out a big-money extension. In 2024, Kansas City traded L'Jarius Sneed to the Titans. Sneed then signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with Tennessee.