On Monday, the face of Kansas City’s secondary discussed his role, offseason arrivals and departures in the defensive backs room, and the early stages of his contract negotiations.
Among the Kansas City Chiefs’ first moves of the offseason was signing former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton to a two-year contract. The move was widely interpreted as a desire on the Chiefs’ part to be able to keep fourth-year starter Trent McDuffie inside, where he has become one of the NFL’s best slot defenders.
McDuffie and head coach Andy Reid addressed the media Monday at the start of Kansas City’s offseason program and all but confirmed the speculation. McDuffie cited a conversation with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to close the season.
“During our actual exit interviews with coach Spags,” he recalled, “they kind of talked about wanting to put me back at inside in certain situations, things like that. It kind of just allowed me to influence the game a little bit more in there — a little bit more blitz and things like that. As far as playing outside and matching up, it’s still early, but I told them anything I can do truly like — outside, inside, cover, whoever you need me to do — that’s where I stand ever since I’ve came in, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Reid is high on the flexibility Fulton will offer after McDuffie was forced outside much of the season to compensate for injuries in the secondary.
“It should give you a little bit of flexibility,” the coach explained. “We’ve got some good corners on the roster, but I think his addition will give you more flexibility. I think it is the best thing…Trent is such a good inside player — and Spags likes using him in there and has a nice package in there with him when he’s used him in there.”
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Although McDuffie has become all but synonymous with slot coverage while in Kansas City, he reiterated on Monday that the role was totally unknown to him coming out of Washington.
“That year I was playing nickel,” he revealed, “was my first time blitzing — the first time being able to do that. So, anytime I was at nickel, I was always praying that I was blitzing because Spags has some great blitzes dialed up for us. I’m excited. I watched back the tape of my year [and] watched a few other guys around the league at nickel. I just make sure I’m always ready whenever they need to use me, put me in there, make sure I can go in there, and execute properly.”
Because of the virtual first phase of the offseason, McDuffie and Fulton have not had opportunities to connect. But he is high on his new teammate.
“I’m excited,” said McDuffie. “I haven’t got to really be around him too much because everybody is all over the place, but I’m excited to get back in the building with him, you know, and kind of just learn from him. I watched him last year when we played the Chargers and kind of just watching their defense and just how he was able to move, seeing how he was able to match up against guys, how he plays the ball really well — he’s a really good corner. He’s a vet and someone I know is going to come in and be able to produce for us.”
Of course, as new players join NFL teams, existing talent often leaves. McDuffie will face the biggest change to the Chiefs’ secondary of his tenure after safety Justin Reid left in free agency to sign with the New Orleans Saints.
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McDuffie expressed faith in the safety room the Chiefs have assembled for this season.
“I love J-Reid,” he declared. “I was actually with him at one of our teammates’ weddings this past offseason, so I was able to talk to him a little bit and congratulate him with the new baby and stuff. He’s a great player. He’s one of those vets that knew the defense really well. We all had a lot of trust to him, and you see on the field one of those dudes that we really relied on.
“So, losing him always is a big factor, but the guys that we have right now — Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Bryan Cook, we got Mike Edwards back — are all guys who know the defense really well. All guys have played a long time and all guys that I know when they’re on the back end with me, I trust them fully.
“It’s always a shame — it’s part of the game and guys leave — but I know these new guys and some guys who have already been around here are ready to step into that role.”
Of course, McDuffie will soon face contract questions of his own. While his fifth-year option for the 2026 season will undoubtedly be exercised this spring, potential extension talks with the Chiefs are closely watched by the fanbase.
General manager Brett Veach recently hinted that extension talks with McDuffie would pick up after the status of franchise-tagged guard Trey Smith is resolved.
The cornerback would welcome a new deal with the team that drafted him — but currently has his mindset firmly on the season.
“I love the city,” McDuffie declared. “I love the coaches. I love my teammates. I would love to be back with the team. As far as contract wise, truly I’m letting my agent deal with that. My sole focus this year and moving forward is just football. I love what this team has done for me, and I love what I’ve been able to do for them. So, if it’s a long-term deal, I’ll be ecstatic, that’s for sure.”