Titans free agency options take a sizeable hit with Trent McDuffie trade between Rams and Chiefs that changes the cornerback market

A blockbuster trade just shifted the landscape of the cornerback market right before free agency begins.

Easton Freeze — Tennessee Titans Beat Writer
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Les Sneed is back on his “F Them Picks” grind.

The Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs just made a blockbuster trade, sending CB Trent McDuffie to the Rams for a huge haul of draft capital. The Rams are clearly all-in on a Super Bowl in 2026 with Matthew Stafford’s long-term future unclear, and the Chiefs are now loaded up with the 29th overall pick, a 5th, a 6th, and a 2027 3rd.

The last time the Rams did this, they traded two 1sts and a 4th for CB Jalen Ramsey and won a ring. So go do it again I guess! Nobody cares about an overpay if you get the hardware. If I’m the Chiefs, though, I am giddy over this opportunity to reload my roster. The last time they did this, they traded Tyreek Hill in his prime for ammo to rebuild a roster that won some hardware too. And where the Titans come into this is how Kansas City is likely about to impact the free agent market at a huge position of need.

Trent McDuffie trade changes free agency for CB-needy teams like Tennessee

It’s no secret that the Titans need cornerback reinforcements this offseason. Very badly. At least two, if not three starting corners must come from this free agency and draft cycle. And with the options in this free agent pool, I for one am expecting them to spend a pretty penny on shooting for volume, signing a handful of mid-tier options.

It’s impossible not to look at the Chiefs’ pending free agents first, given GM Mike Borgonzi’s history there.

CB Jaylen Watson is arguably at the top of this market, and word on the street recently was that KC wasn’t sure they’d bring him back at the price he’s going to demand. PFF has him projected to get somewhere in the $15 million AAV neighborhood on a multi-year deal. Now that McDuffie is gone, it certainly feels like more of a possibility for Kansas City to shell out to keep the 27 year old off the market.

Their other free agency CB is Josh Williams, who should be a whole lot cheaper. The 26 year old played very little in 2025, but has shown flashes throughout his career that could convince you he’s worth taking a flier on. He took 400+ snaps every year from 2022-2024 and is a good depth option with potential starter upside. Mike Borgonzi knows him and his situation first-hand. But now, Kansas City could keep him home too.

The final element of this is how Kansas City looks to address their own hole at CB now. Perhaps their efforts aren’t focused on retaining Watson or Williams, but rather jumping into the player acquisition cycle themselves. With the 9th overall pick in the draft, CB’s Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy will be firmly on their radar. Now owning the 29th overall pick, CB’s like Colton Hood and Brandon Cisse will be on the table too.

But free agency remains an option for one of the most attractive teams in the league to free agents. KC could just jump into the market next week and make it harder for teams like Tennessee to land the players they were targeting.

McDuffie trade paints L’Jarius Sneed trade in a different light

This is some extreme hindsight that folks may just not care about at this point. But can any Titans fan look at this move and not immediately think of the L’Jarius Sneed trade two years ago?

Doesn’t look as bad anymore, does it?

Sneed was two years older than McDuffie and didn’t have an All Pro to his name, but he was a star of multiple huge playoff games and was widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. The Titans sent a third round pick for the opportunity to sign him to a 4yr/$76.4 million contract that has been completely crushed by injuries. His body has broken down at this point, and he’s expected to be cut this offseason. And in hindsight, perhaps his medical situation was the driving factor in the trade price. But when McDuffie goes for such a staggering haul, I can’t help but look back on the Sneed trade a tad differently.

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