KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs and Trent McDuffie, the staff's prime cornerback, will not be anticipated to comply with a multiyear contract extension earlier than Kansas Metropolis's season begins, sources informed ESPN on Sunday.
In the course of the previous six weeks, the Chiefs have had a number of conversations in an try to barter an extension with McDuffie, a two-time All-Professional who will start his fourth NFL season on Friday in Sao Paulo, the place the Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers. McDuffie, 24, is the Chiefs' second-best defender behind go rusher Chris Jones.
Previous to the Chiefs' follow Sunday, McDuffie acknowledged he expects to carry out this season within the fourth 12 months of his rookie contract. He's set to earn a base wage of $2,613,066.
“Shifting ahead now, actually, it is simply in regards to the season and about [Friday's] sport,” McDuffie stated. “I am not too anxious in regards to the contract. That may simply occur within the [next] offseason. Let's simply go on the market and have an important 12 months.”
McDuffie is coming off one of the best marketing campaign of his profession. He recorded two interceptions and 13 go breakups, each profession highs, together with 59 tackles, 4 quarterback hits and one compelled fumble.
Identified for his protection expertise and sturdiness, McDuffie performed 996 defensive snaps. McDuffie was lined up fewer than 3 yards from an opposing receiver on a league-leading 63.5% of his snaps final season; that a lot press-man protection was the second-highest charge by any defender with at the very least 250 snaps on the perimeter throughout the previous seven seasons, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats.
“We undoubtedly have had dialogue,” Chiefs normal supervisor Brett Veach stated final week. “He is a man that is clearly a particular participant. We will proceed that dialogue, and hopefully one thing will get labored out. I feel issues have been good. Trent is clearly going to be a precedence.”
In July, the New York Jets signed cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was the fourth choose within the 2022 draft, to a record-setting four-year, $120.4 million extension. A two-time All-Professional, Gardner's deal included $85.653 million assured. To ensure that the Chiefs to signal McDuffie to an extension earlier than this season, their deal would have wanted to exceed the phrases of Gardner's contract, making McDuffie the league's highest-paid cornerback.
McDuffie is the best draft choose of Veach's tenure as GM, which started in 2017. The Chiefs in 2022 used the primary of their two first-round picks following the blockbuster Tyreek Hill commerce to amass McDuffie, who has been a starter since he entered the league out of Washington.
The 2022 draft class — that includes contributors equivalent to McDuffie, defensive finish George Karlaftis, operating again Isiah Pacheco, security Bryan Cook dinner, linebacker Leo Chenal and cornerback Jaylen Watson — helped the Chiefs additional set up their dynasty. The staff gained back-to-back Tremendous Bowl championships and reached the title sport once more final season, turning into the primary repeat champion to succeed in the Tremendous Bowl for a 3rd straight time. In 10 postseason video games, McDuffie has produced 13 go breakups, one compelled fumble and one fumble restoration.
In April, the Chiefs exercised the fifth-year choice in McDuffie's contract, making his 2026 wage of $13.6 million totally assured.
“I like being a Chief,” McDuffie stated in late July. “I do know the contract stuff will come.”
Though Friday's sport was a benchmark, Veach acknowledged the Chiefs won't be against persevering with their efforts to barter with McDuffie throughout this season to see if each events can comply with an extension. If the negotiations do not progress even by subsequent offseason, the Chiefs in 2027 may place the franchise tag on McDuffie, which might forestall him from turning into an unrestricted free company and limit him to a one-year deal. (This 12 months's tag for a cornerback is $20.186 million.)
