How a first-round draft pick became the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history
In short: In 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs traded heavily to secure Trent McDuffie. Since then, the cornerback has transitioned from a Super Bowl rookie to a record-breaking superstar, eventually commanding a $124 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams.
Trent McDuff and his ascent through the NFL began with a high-stakes maneuver during the 2022 NFL draft. The Kansas City Chiefs utilized a trade with the New England Patriots to acquire the 21st overall pick, which they used to select McDuffie. To secure this position, the Chiefs surrendered their own first-round pick (29th overall), along with third and fourth-round selections. Before entering the professional ranks, he played for the Washington Huskies, where he earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors. His collegiate career was notable for accumulating 94 tackles and several pass breakups.
McDuffie's early professional years were marked by immediate championship success and individual accolades. During his rookie season, he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII. His performance earned him First-team All-Pro honors in 2023, a season where he recorded 80 combined tackles and five forced fumbles. His defensive impact was consistently recognized by analysts; for instance, Pro Football Focus graded him 84.8 in 2023, ranking him 4th among qualifying cornerbacks. His defensive prowess was evident in the 2024 season, where he achieved a Pro Football Focus grade of 83.1. This performance placed him 3rd among 222 qualifying cornerbacks that year.
The trajectory of his career reached a financial and structural peak in 2026. Following a trade to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for multiple draft picks, McDuffie signed a four-year, $124 million contract extension. This deal established him as the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the league. Throughout his journey, McDuffie has maintained personal connections to his identity on the field, such as wearing jersey number 22—a tribute to his late brother, Tyler—both at the University of Washington and with the Rams. The trade to Los Angeles occurred on March 11, 2026. In the transaction, the Rams provided the Chiefs with a first-round pick, a third-round pick for 2027, and fifth and sixth-round selections for the 2026 draft.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Trent McDuffie
- Also: Wikidata — Trent McDuffie · CC0
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