The Kansas City Chiefs are set to trade All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams as the headliner of a blockbuster deal, per ESPN. The teams agreed to a trade that sends four draft picks to Kansas City. The Chiefs will reportedly receive the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

McDuffie was set to enter the final season of his contract after the Chiefs picked up his fifth-year option. Instead of committing to a long-term extension, general manager Brett Veach is sending him to the Rams, who are expected to sign him to a new deal. McDuffie would have earned $13.6 million with the Chiefs in 2026.

McDuffie, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, excelled over his first four years in the NFL and was a key contributor to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl teams as a rookie and second-year standout. He made 55 starts in Kansas City and defended at least seven passes in each season. He also forced five fumbles in 2023 and recorded three interceptions over the last two years.

With the trade, the Rams add a plug-and-play star to their secondary who could help them pursue at least one more Super Bowl during the Matthew Stafford era.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, once again move on from a standout player in favor of draft capital. Four years ago, they made a similar move when they traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five picks.

How McDuffie trade impacts draft plans for Chiefs, Rams

By NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards

Cornerback had been a primary need for the Rams, but with another first-round pick at their disposal, courtesy of the Falcons, they can still address offensive tackle, wide receiver or another position of need.

For the Chiefs, they were already in unfamiliar territory with a pick inside the top 10, but now have a second pick on Thursday night to address areas of need. Kansas City historically addresses the cornerback position on Days 2 and 3, but does have options at No. 29 should it go that route: Tennessee’s Colton Hood, Clemson’s Aveion Terrell, South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse and others. Running back, offensive tackle and the defensive line are other potential positions of focus for Kansas City.