NFC South team just made it that much more expensive for Chiefs to sign CB Trent McDuffie to a long-term extension
One of the biggest decision the Kansas City Chiefs soon have to make is what to do with star cornerback Trent McDuffie. Here are the options that Kansas City has with McDuffie moving forward: Exercise McDuffie's fifth-year option, ensuring that he'll remain with the Chiefs through the 2025 season.Sign McDuffie to a long-term contract extension.Allow […]
One of the biggest decision the Kansas City Chiefs soon have to make is what to do with star cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Here are the options that Kansas City has with McDuffie moving forward:
- Exercise McDuffie's fifth-year option, ensuring that he'll remain with the Chiefs through the 2025 season.
- Sign McDuffie to a long-term contract extension.
- Allow McDuffie to become a free agent and sign elsewhere.
It is very hard to imagine that the third scenario will happen. With three seasons under his belt, McDuffie has established himself as one of the best CBs in the NFL. He has been named an All-Pro in each of the last two years, and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.
If the Chiefs plan to pick up McDuffie's fifth-year option (exclusive to first-round picks only), they have until May 1 to do so. Not only would that keep him on the roster for another year, but the two sides can continue to negotiate a long-term deal if they choose to do so.
Lastly, and most preferably, K.C. can skip the fifth-year option and lock up McDuffie to an extension at the beginning of the new league year, which starts Wednesday, March 12. It would be in the Chiefs' best interest to do that during this offseason rather than the next, because the market for elite CBs has gone to new highs.
The Carolina Panthers signed their stud CB Jaycee Horn to a four-year, $100 million extension on Monday. Horn was a first-round pick of Carolina's the year previous to McDuffie, and just cashed in on a huge payday. That means McDuffie will likely match or even top Horn's earnings.
If the Chiefs decide to wait until 2026 to get a deal done with McDuffie, the price could be driven much higher, especially if he has another huge year. McDuffie staying in K.C. for the long haul seems like a lock, but the Chiefs have let many CBs leave while still in their prime, such as Marcus Peters (traded), Charvarius Ward, Kendall Fuller, and L'Jarius Sneed.
