The latest
Chiefs targeting running back help
The Chiefs appear ready to strike at the running back position this month. They don’t think Jeremiyah Love will fall to them at No. 9 (a few of our draft analysts have him going one spot earlier, to New Orleans) so Kansas City won’t wait until the draft. The Chiefs may not be in the mix for a top-of-market player like Kenneth Walker III, but a player in that
$8 million per year area could be one for them.
The Chiefs determined at some point during the NFL Scouting Combine last week they couldn’t squeeze McDuffie’s asking price under the salary cap, or at least not without mortgaging the future window. McDuffie is likely to be paid north of $30 million annually in L.A., per multiple reports. Even after the trade, the Rams actually still have slightly more 2026 cap space than the Chiefs, though that’s subject to change based on the format of the extension.
But the money is just the start.
As the Chiefs explored the potential trade market for McDuffie, a trade partner logically had to fulfill three requirements:
A need at cornerback
Cap space to pay him $30 million annually
A win-now priorityThat narrowed the field considerably, particularly the last item. The teams trying to rebuild prefer to use draft picks to accomplish it, rather than trading multiple selections for one player. It’s not about the player. It’s about the process of building. Thus, eventually the McDuffie talks came down two teams, per sources: the Rams and the Giants.
Trent McDuffie trade grades: A secondary star for Rams, a big haul for Chiefs | The Athletic
Chiefs grade: A–
The trade is a good value for McDuffie. Cornerback Sauce Gardner was moved for two first-rounders at the trade deadline, but he’s a better player than McDuffie.
Now, the Chiefs have the Nos. 9 and 29 picks of the draft, so they can even move up the board for an impact player if they choose. After a rare down season, the Chiefs have a chance to reload with high-quality young players — that is a scary thought for their competition.
2026 NFL free agency: Biggest needs for each AFC team | NFL.com
Needs: RB, CB, WR
Eric Bieniemy is back in the saddle as Chiefs OC after two years away, but the former NFL running back has next to no RBs in the room. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, Kansas City’s off-and-on tandem, are both headed to free agency, leaving a vacancy that is begging to be filled by a top-shelf talent. Elsewhere, the Chiefs could use upgrades at wide receiver to fill in for the departing Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. A Travis Kelce retirement could necessitate a tight end addition, as well. K.C. is cap-strapped, so the Chiefs might go bargain-hunting. But with Patrick Mahomes on the mend from an ACL tear, Kansas City should want to buttress the star with as much skill-position talent as possible. Adding a cornerback to replace the departing Trent McDuffie, expected to be traded to L.A., and Jaylen Watson is also a sudden pressing matter on the other side of the ball.
Around the NFL
Source: Patriots to release WR Stefon Diggs after one season | ESPN
Diggs’ salary cap charge was set to rise from $10.5 million to $26.5 million, which was the catalyst for the move. If he was on the roster by the end of next week, he would have had an additional $6 million of his contract guaranteed.
Diggs posted a message on his Instagram story: “Thank you for a hell of a year. We family forever.”
Diggs, 32, had signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots last March and quickly became one of the team’s inspirational leaders, as well as their top-producing receiver. He totaled a team-high 85 receptions for 1,013 yards with four touchdowns in the regular season. During the Patriots’ postseason run to Super Bowl LX, Diggs had 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in four playoff games.
Diggs, however, also is facing felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef. Diggs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is next scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing April 1.
Vikings To Release DT Jonathan Allen | Pro Football Rumors
Minnesota will see $6.5MM in savings as a result of the move with $17.3MM in dead money, according to OverTheCap. A post-June 1 designation would increase the savings and push more dead money into 2027, but that money would not be available until that date. The Vikings are currently more than $46MM over the 2026 cap, so they will need to process the move right away to get closer to cap-compliance.
Allen, 31, was released by the Commanders last offseason after eight seasons in Washington. He signed a three-year, $60MM deal with the Vikings shortly thereafter and will now depart having seen $23.5MM of that money for just one year’s work.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Trent McDuffie trade puts Chiefs under the salary cap
After accounting for the two moves, Spotrac has the Chiefs now at $23.3 million under the salary cap.
While the Chiefs are presumably not done clearing room for future moves, the front office has ample ability to get started when free agency kicks off next week. Most free-agent contracts will be structured to pay out the first year via signing bonus, and that is spread over the life of the contract for cap purposes. Basically, Kansas City is free to chase any desired and available player.
A benefit of already being under the salary cap is that the Chiefs do not have to cut any more players before the team is able to negotiate with potential replacements. Eventually, Kansas City may move off of moderate non-guaranteed 2026 salaries for linebacker Drue Tranquill and tight end Noah Gray. However, the team can easily carry the contracts until after the draft to ensure cost-effective talent at the positions.
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