Chiefs, CB Trent McDuffie Expected to Start Season Without Extension

The Kansas City Chiefs and cornerback Trent McDuffie have not reached a contract extension and are not expected to do so before the 2025 season starts. McDuffie, entering his fourth NFL season, will play under the fourth year of his rookie contract with a base salary of about $2.6 million, despite being a key defensive player and coming off his best season. The Chiefs exercised McDuffie's fifth-year option guaranteeing him $13.6 million in 2026, but salary cap constraints limit the team's ability to offer a more lucrative extension this year. General Manager Brett Veach has affirmed ongoing dialogue with McDuffie’s camp, emphasizing that the player remains a priority for the team. McDuffie himself has expressed that his focus is on the upcoming season rather than contract negotiations, which he believes can be addressed in the next offseason. Comparisons with other top cornerbacks like DaRon Bland and Sauce Gardner, who recently signed significant extensions, highlight the market context for McDuffie’s negotiations.