The Los Angeles Rams are acquiring All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster trade that includes the 29th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
The Chiefs reportedly also would receive the Rams' fifth- and sixth-round selections in that draft as well as a third-round pick in 2027.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was among the first to react to news of the trade, posting to X a one-word comment: "Damn.."
General manager Brett Veach said
at the NFL Scouting Combine last week the two sides would be meeting to discuss terms of a contract extension. It's not clear whether McDuffie's asking price or the Rams' offer triggered trade talks.
The Rams still own the No. 13 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. They acquired that pick from the Atlanta Falcons during a draft-day trade last April.
An All-Pro in 2023, McDuffie is expected to sign a long-term deal with the Rams, per ESPN.
McDuffie, 25, recorded 63 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in 13 games (all starts) last season.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, McDuffie has totaled 246 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 34 pass breakups and three interceptions in 56 career games (all starts) since being selected by Kansas City with the 21st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Multiple starters and key players have been traded by the Chiefs in recent years to manage the salary cap.
Veach and the Chiefs received a third-round pick from the Titans in a deal for cornerback L'Jarius Sneed in March 2024. Sneed's contract demands -- targeting a deal to join the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL -- proved a tipping point for that trade.
--Field Level Media
