The first message from head coach Andy Reid and owner Clark Hunt to the Kansas City Chiefs locker room must have been clear: Put the crushing defeat of Super Bowl 59 behind them and focus on keeping the dynasty alive. The Chiefs have been the team to beat for the past seven seasons, largely because they’ve managed to keep their core leadership intact. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Harrison Butker, Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo remain the foundation of a franchise that continues to thrive despite injuries and key departures, including Tyreek Hill, Tyrann Mathieu and L’Jarius Sneed. Much of the credit goes to general manager Brett Veach, whose roster management has allowed Kansas City to remain dominant year after year.
The Chiefs’ Homegrown Success and McDuffie’s Future
Kansas City’s ability to develop talent without overpaying in free agency has been one of its greatest strengths. Of the 22 starters in their last AFC Championship Game, 15 were 27 or younger and 15 were homegrown talent. But the most impressive stat? The Chiefs selected 10 players in the 2022 NFL Draft, and nine are still with the team. Those nine players have never experienced an NFL season without a Super Bowl appearance, and their only playoff loss came this past February. This level of sustained success is what separates a great team from a true dynasty.
One of those key 2022 draft picks is Trent McDuffie, and the conversation surrounding his next contract is heating up. Former Chiefs All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz has weighed in, praising Kansas City’s front office for its management. While some speculate the Chiefs might overpay to keep McDuffie, Schwartz argues the team will give him a fair market value deal rather than reset the cornerback market. “I don’t understand why so many Chiefs fans are up in arms about this. Do they think the team wants to spend more money on a guy by waiting? Both sides have to agree to a deal,” Schwartz said.
What Will McDuffie’s Contract Look Like?
Trent McDuffie has already established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and his next contract will reflect that. The current top CB deals in the NFL set the standard: Last year Patrick Surtain II signed a four-year, $96 million deal with the Denver Broncos, including $77.5 million guaranteed. Jalen Ramsey secured a three-year, $72.3 million deal with the Miami Dolphins, with $24.2 million guaranteed. This offseason, Jaycee Horn landed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, with $72 million guaranteed, while Derek Stingley Jr. signed a three-year, $90 million contract with the Houston Texans, with $63.5 million guaranteed.
Since McDuffie and Stingley were part of the same draft class, it’s almost inevitable that McDuffie’s deal will be in a similar range. The Chiefs have been known to let players walk if the price isn’t right, but McDuffie is the kind of talent they can’t afford to lose. With Kansas City’s defensive success relying heavily on young, homegrown talent, locking up McDuffie long-term would be another move that keeps this dynasty rolling.
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