Sources: Trent McDuffie, Rams reach 4-year, $124M extension
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Sarah Bar
Several authors
LOS ANGELES — The Rams and star cornerback Trent McDuffie reached agreement Sunday on a record four-year, $124 million extension, including $100 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The new contract makes McDuffie, 25, the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.
Last Wednesday, the Rams agreed to acquire McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs for a pick package that included the No. 29 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. The trade and deal can become official on Wednesday at the start of the new league year.
McDuffie was entering the final season of his rookie contract. Last April, the Chiefs exercised his fifth-year option, making his $13.6 million salary for 2026 fully guaranteed.
He will now earn much more than that on a deal averaging $31 million per year. That surpasses the Colts’ Sauce Gardner ($30.1 million) and the Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. ($30 million) for the most among NFL cornerbacks. Stingley held the previous record for the highest guaranteed money for a corner at $89 million.
Cornerback was a major need for the Rams entering free agency and the draft, as they had four pending free agents at the position. Cornerback Darious Williams also announced his retirement Saturday.
In addition to the No. 29 pick, the Chiefs will receive fifth- and sixth-round selections in 2026 and a third-round selection in 2027 as part of the trade, sources previously told Schefter. The Rams have one first-round pick (No. 13) remaining after trading with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 draft.
McDuffie is a Southern California native and played his senior year of high school at St. John Bosco High.
In August, while hosting a back-to-school event in Kansas City, Mo., McDuffie was asked what other team he would like to play for if not the Chiefs.
“You’re going to get me in trouble,” McDuffie said with a smile. “Let’s think about it. If I could play for any other team, I would probably want to play near my family, so it would probably be the Los Angeles Rams so my family could come and watch every game.”
In 56 career games, McDuffie has three interceptions, 34 assists, 5.5 sacks and 246 total tackles. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2023.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, McDuffie has allowed 6.0 yards per target in coverage over the past two seasons, which is third best among defensive backs who have been targeted at least 150 times.
