The Kansas City Chiefs found themselves very busy on Wednesday.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs are trading Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams for a first-round draft pick and additional selections. NFL insider Jordan Schultz adds that Kansas City will also receive a 2027 third-round pick, plus fifth- and sixth-rounders in 2026. The deal is significant: not only does it resemble the Tyreek Hill trade to Miami, but it also gives the Chiefs the flexibility to make another move now.

Chiefs can re-sign cornerback Jaylen Watson
Kansas City has not awarded a defensive back it has drafted a second contract with since safety Eric Berry, which is pretty wild. Berry received that second contract in 2017, per Spotrac. McDuffie’s trade continues that streak. However, re-signing cornerback Jaylen Watson could end it.

Watson has proven himself to be a very good cornerback in this league, even though he is not on McDuffie’s level. He remains a good starting cornerback. Who knows—given more development, he could become something special. Already, Dave Merritt has developed the former seventh-round pick into a solid starter. On his second contract, they can continue that upward trajectory.

Watson’s projected annual market value is $12 million. Given that McDuffie will likely receive at least $30 million per year from the Rams, that’s a good price. If the Chiefs re-sign Watson, they will still have a serviceable cornerback room. Watson, Nohl Williams, and Kristian Fulton—both of whom improved as the year went on—could be a strong trio. With those three and the rest of the roster, the team can be very good.

Last year marked Watson’s best season. He finished with an overall PFF grade of 74.1 and has improved every single year. Getting him a new deal underlines the Chiefs’ expectation that he will continue to develop. Now, they can make that expectation a reality.