CB Trent McDuffie is making an irrefutable case to the Chiefs’ brass for receiving a long-term contract
It’s time for Kansas City to lock McDuffie up.
One of the big picture questions facing the Kansas City Chiefs is whether or not they will keep cornerback Trent McDuffie around for the long haul.
The Chiefs picked up McDuffie’s fifth-year option during the offseason, ensuring that he will stick around through the 2026 season. However, he can be signed to a long-term contract at any point, and the longer Kansas City waits, the steeper the price gets.
Trent McDuffie is having a career year so far in 2025
When McDuffie does get paid, whether it’s from the Chiefs or another team, he’s going to get top dollar. McDuffie is already a two-time All-Pro, and according to Next Gen Stats, he is in the midst of what could be the best season of his four-year NFL career.
From Next Gen Stats: “As one of the integral pieces of Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive operation, McDuffie is known for pressing receivers. He has lined up within 3 yards of a receiver on 45.1% of snaps this season, the second-highest rate by any cornerback (min. 100 snaps). With our new coverage model, we can finally quantify how players perform in press coverage, and he’s been excellent. McDuffie has allowed only 83 receiving yards on 14 press targets this season, recording five passes defensed against just eight receptions allowed.
“The two-time All-Pro is in the midst of a potential career year. He has not allowed 40 yards in any game this season and has not given up a touchdown in coverage since Week 1. He has allowed 5.3 yards per target, the 12th-fewest among 93 cornerbacks targeted at least 20 times. McDuffie is also the stickiest of sticky corners, having spent a total of 7 minutes, 12.7 seconds in tight coverage since the start of last season, nearly a full minute more than any other player.”
Through eight games, McDuffie has recorded 35 total tackles, five passes defensed, and one interception. Unlike many other top CBs, he plays equally as well out on the boundary and inside the slot. While speaking to the media on Friday, McDuffie discussed what it takes to be a shutdown corner.
“Sticky coverage,” McDuffie said. “Obviously, not allowing the ball to get caught on you is the major thing. I think it’s just one of those things that when they’re (shutdown CBs) out there, they make a difference. They can shut their side down, and they can do things above and beyond just being a corner.”
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