McDuffie Sets Cornerback Record
Trent McDuffie signed a 4-year, $124 million extension with $100 million guaranteed with the LA Rams, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The deal came just days after the Chiefs traded him to the Rams. Meanwhile, the Raiders acquired CB Taron Johnson from Buffalo for a sixth-round pick swap.
The Kansas City Chiefs' decision to trade Trent McDuffie was primarily a financial one. Prior to the trade and the release of offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, the Chiefs were reportedly $52.7 million over the NFL's salary cap. Trading McDuffie, who was set to play on his fifth-year option worth $13.6 million, helped alleviate that pressure. The move was part of a larger strategy that took the team from the league's worst cap situation to having approximately $24.8 million in available space. McDuffie was the 21st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft and was in the final year of his four-year, $13.99 million rookie contract. The trade to the Rams brought the Chiefs significant draft capital, including the 29th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This follows a pattern for the Chiefs, who have now traded away top cornerbacks in three of the last seven years rather than sign them to large extensions, having previously traded Marcus Peters and L'Jarius Sneed. The Los Angeles Rams targeted McDuffie to bolster a pass defense that struggled in 2025, ranking 19th in the league. While the Rams' defense was strong against the run, finishing as one of the top units in the league, their secondary was a point of concern. The acquisition of McDuffie provides a significant boost to their pass coverage capabilities. The Las Vegas Raiders' acquisition of Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills for a sixth-round pick swap represents a more budget-friendly approach to improving their secondary. Johnson, a former All-Pro, was initially going to be released by the Bills before the trade was made. His performance had declined in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Johnson is currently signed to a three-year, $30.75 million contract.
