Trent McDuffie’s contract with the Rams is a steep price to pay, but a Super Bowl win would make it worth the hefty cost
The Los Angeles Rams paid a pretty penny to lock up Trent McDuffie for a Super Bowl run.
The Los Angeles Rams made a blockbuster deal to acquire cornerback Trent McDuffie to kick start their offseason, trading away one of their two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft as well as some change to the Kansas City Chiefs to add the future CB1 of the team.
That price wasn’t the only thing the Rams had to pay here, as McDuffie was only on the trading block due to his incoming extension, and the Chiefs were strapped for cap space. McDuffie signed his mega extension with the Rams shortly after being traded to Los Angeles. The terms of the deal were announced on Wednesday, and it’s a hefty, hefty contract.
Trent McDuffie earns massive payday from the Rams
We knew that McDuffie’s contract was going to make him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, but the way the Rams went around it makes the contract that much more substantial. McDuffie signed a four year, $124 million contract extension with the Rams.
$100 million of that amount is guaranteed, of which $86.4 million is a new money guarantee. $50 million is fully guaranteed at signing, including a $14 million signing bonus. His 2026 and 2027 salaries and roster bonuses are fully guaranteed at signing.
Where this contract becomes fully impactful is after 2027. Looking at that graphic, one might assume this is just a two-year deal. However, there are rolling guarantees every year after 2027. If McDuffie is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2027 league year (which is fair to believe), his $26.32 million salary becomes fully guaranteed. If he is on the roster on the fifth day of the 2028 league year, $23 million of his 2029 salary is guaranteed.
This deal at worst could shake out to a three-year deal with a restructure at some point, complete with void years to make it a palatable offset. If McDuffie doesn’t live up to the cost, the Rams will owe him some substantial paydays, and it would be a painful parting that likely wouldn’t be affordable until after the 2028 season. However, if the Rams win a Super Bowl, I don’t think they’ll care much about the long-term cap ramifications of such a deal.