The Kansas City Chiefs have been a dominant AFC team for the past decade, but the 2025 season hasn’t looked that way, so they could consider a trade involving cornerback Trent McDuffie. Kansas City is coming off a heartbreaking loss against the Houston Texans in their own him, and that puts their hopes for a postseason run in jeopardy. With the Chiefs expected to have a negative salary cap entering the 2026 offseason, the team faces tough decisions to make as they will need to make room to sign talent in free agency to strengthen their roster. Unfortunately, that might not happen as quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones amass for the majority of the cap space, so the team will need to get creative.
Crumbling Chiefs May Consider 2026 Trent McDuffie Trade – 3 Suitors Emerge
This means the Chiefs could consider trading McDuffie to draft a new cornerback. McDuffie has been one of the best secondary defenders for Kansas City since trading away L’Jarius Sneed a few offseasons ago. The Chiefs don’t have the cap space to compensate for McDuffie’s new contract, and he could request a trade this offseason if Kansas City is reluctant to the idea.
If the Chiefs want to get creative, they could restructure the contracts of Mahomes and Jones, but they’d still be in negatives, and that is something the team can’t afford. Kansas City has never been afraid of developing the next man up, as they’ve let former safety Justin Reid hit the market this past offseason, while trading Sneed the previous. Originally selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the All-Pro standout should get a trade market, and these teams may be willing to pick up the phone.
Crumbling Chiefs May Consider 2026 Trent McDuffie Trade – 3 Suitors Emerge
Possible Next Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
After trading for Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson before the deadline this 2025 season, it proves that Jerry Jones is never afraid of strengthening the defense if there are woes. The Cowboys are still in the postseason mix if the Eagles continue to crumble, but they haven’t made any noticeable changes in their secondary. Trevon Diggs has been a disaster for the team’s secondary, and rookie Shavon Revel Jr. and Reddy Steward have outplayed the once standout.
The one improvement the Cowboys should be looking into is the secondary in the offseason. The Cowboys may have signed DaRon Bland to a contract extension, but they must trade for someone who’s capable of helping him. Dallas has a solid defense up front, but must win in the air. McDuffie is a good fit for a team that is looking for a difference maker.
Detroit Lions
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions haven’t had a ton of luck finding secondary talent that can stay healthy. After losing Terrion Arnold and DJ Reed in one season, it’s hard to imagine that the Lions will go far, at least for January. While Reed will return, the Lions should consider trading for a cornerback who is in their prime. McDuffie might be the right choice for this Lions secondary if he can stay healthy.
Washington Commanders
However, the 2025 season for the Washington Commanders has been a complete collapse. The team is coming off a promising rookie season with quarterback Jayden Daniels, leading the way to the NFC Championship Game. However, injuries and inconsistency issues stacked up for the Commanders for them to make an impact this year.
Other than Austin Ekeler and Zach Ertz, the Commanders lost cornerback Marshon Lattimore to a season-ending injury, so this should motivate the team to start completely fresh. With Jonathan Jones expected to become a free agent in March, Washington could trade for McDuffie to start a new regime the right way.
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