Kansas City Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie shifting focus to 2025 NFL season and away from a potential contract extension

It appears we’ll be waiting until after the 2025 NFL season for a contract extension for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Kansas City Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie gave an update on contract negotiations on Sunday, and this update was perhaps less optimistic than the last.

The former 2022 first-round draft pick out of Washington is under contract through the 2026 NFL season after Chiefs GM Brett Veach picked up his fifth-year option. Like George Karlaftis and Trey Smith before him, McDuffie, too, seeks a long-term extension. The last update on that front from the All-Pro cornerback came during training camp, in a sitdown with Kay Adams.

“Yeah, a little bit,” McDuffie said. “I know when it really comes to this contract stuff, and everybody else has these questions, like, ‘where your head’s at’ and stuff, but I truly feel like my agent, our relationship has grown so much over this past three years, and like, that’s one of my favorite human beings on the planet Earth. Like I feel like I have the best agent ever, and he keeps me up to date. Like, if they talk at 6 a.m. I’m getting a call at 6:01 a.m., telling me about everything they talk about. And because of that, I feel like I’ve just truly been allowed to focus on ball and focus on Saint Joe’s, focus on football, and honestly, not even worry about the contract. If I get paid, I get paid, I know it’s coming. And right now, I don’t really want to worry about it like I want to really just focus on doing what I can for this team, and letting all that contract, all that money stuff be handled by the person I pay, which is my agent.”

While McDuffie’s worry-free attitude hasn’t changed, the idea that something contract-related could be accomplished ahead of the 2025 NFL season has seemingly shifted.

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie shifting gears to focus on Week 1 vs. the Chargers and the 2025 NFL season

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, McDuffie was asked if he had any updates to share regarding his contract situation. His answer revealed a great deal about the current state of affairs for 2025.

“Yeah, no, none really,” McDuffie said. “I feel like moving forward now even, it’s really just about the season, about the game. I’m not too worried about the contract or anything like that. (It) can truly just happen in the offseason, and let’s just go out there and have a great year this year.”

One factor that might weigh in here is the Chiefs’ salary cap situation for the 2026 NFL season. The team is currently projected to be $45 million over the cap next year. They’ll need to shed a few contracts, as well as rework Patrick Mahomes’ deal, to put themselves in a tenable financial situation next season. The Chiefs may want to know what that looks like before considering an extension for McDuffie.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach also weighed in on a Trent McDuffie extension

Chiefs GM Brett Veach spoke to reporters following 53-man roster cuts last Thursday and was asked about a potential extension for McDuffie. His comments echoed those of McDuffie, who told reporters on Sunday.

“He’s a guy that is obviously a special player, and we’re going to continue that dialogue and hopefully something gets worked out,” Veach said, via KCSN’s Herbie Teope. “There’s nothing happening imminently or right now, but certainly keeping that dialogue open.”

Currently, it appears that a handshake agreement is in place for these two sides to resume contract talks after the season. The cornerback market has already been set for a player of McDuffie’s caliber, so there’s really no rush to get things done.

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