Chiefs GM Brett Veach has a history of avoiding second contracts for defensive backs, as shown by his decision not to re-sign L’Jarius Sneed this offseason.
Next year, Veach will face a significant test when Trent McDuffie becomes eligible for an extension.
McDuffie, already recognized as one of the league’s top cornerbacks, will make the negotiation process particularly demanding for Veach.
Recent developments in Denver have complicated matters further. Ian Rapoport reported that the Broncos signed their standout cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a four-year, $96 million extension, setting a new record for defensive backs. This will likely serve as a reference point for McDuffie’s upcoming contract negotiations.
Drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, McDuffie earned All-Pro honors last year and, at 23, is expected to continue improving.
His ability to play multiple positions and his effectiveness as both a run defender and blitzer add to his value beyond his statistics. Remarkably, he has had only four penalties in two seasons, demonstrating his discipline.
Although Patrick Surtain has also emerged as one of the top young cornerbacks, McDuffie was more effective in 2023, making it likely that he will seek a contract similar to Surtain’s next offseason.
The Chiefs should prioritize finalizing McDuffie’s contract sooner rather than later, as salaries for elite cornerbacks are expected to increase with future deals like those for Sauce Gardner.
Luckily, the Chiefs’ salary cap situation from 2027 onward is relatively manageable, with only Chris Jones, Patrick Mahomes, and Creed Humphrey projected to have significant cap hits, which might make it easier for Veach to secure McDuffie’s extension.
