The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to trade All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, according to multiple reports from league insiders.
In the deal, the Rams will send the Chiefs their 2026 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), a 2026 fifth-round selection, a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-round choice. McDuffie, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Chiefs exercised his fifth-year option, is expected to sign a long-term extension with the Rams upon completion of the trade.
The move was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed across major outlets including NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach selected McDuffie with the team’s highest draft pick of his tenure in 2022 out of the University of Washington. McDuffie has earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and second-team recognition in 2024. He played a key role in the Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl success, posting elite coverage grades and contributing in both the nickel and perimeter roles.
A Southern California native who attended St. John Bosco High School, McDuffie previously expressed interest in playing closer to family with the Rams. He played college football under current Rams passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake at Washington in 2019. Last season McDuffie recorded one interception, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one sack. His 2024 campaign marked career highs with two interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
For the Chiefs, this marks the second time in three years they have traded a top cornerback rather than extending him to a major new contract. The team previously dealt L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans in 2024. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes reacted to the news on social media with a simple “damn.”
The Rams, who reached the 2025 NFC Championship, identified cornerback as a priority after several pending free agents at the position. General manager Les Snead recently indicated the team’s desire to add an All-Pro talent to the secondary. The acquisition mirrors Los Angeles’ aggressive approach in past deals, such as the 2021 trade for Jalen Ramsey that helped lead to a Super Bowl title.
The trade remains subject to standard league processing and physicals but has been widely reported as agreed upon. Chiefs fans can expect the team to use the additional draft capital to address roster needs, while the Rams gain a proven playmaker in McDuffie for their 2026 push.
