Overview
- ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler identified the All-Pro cornerback as a plausible trade piece and suggested Tampa Bay as a “perfect spot.”
- McDuffie is set to play 2026 on his fifth-year option at $13.6 million, with market projections for a new deal far higher.
- Kansas City’s financial crunch for 2026 is cited as the main driver, with large commitments already on the books to stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones.
- Analyst Dan Graziano questioned whether the Chiefs have a ready successor, noting Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson are options but not established No. 1 corners and are nearing free agency.
- Multiple outlets characterized the discussion as speculative and advised Kansas City could keep McDuffie for 2026 and reassess his trade value at the deadline.