The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the NFL’s best teams for the last seven seasons.
As a result, the Chiefs have selected lower in the first round, meaning that it could be harder to find players that can make an immediate impact. Despite this challenge, Kansas City has been able to find impactful players.
In 2022, the Chiefs selected two players who have made a considerable impact on the team.
Defensive end George Karlaftis, who was selected 30th overall, and cornerback Trent McDuffie, who was selected with the 21st overall pick.
McDuffie has developed into one of the league’s best cornerbacks, and given he was a first-round pick, he is eligible for a fifth-year option.
Fifth-year options for 2022 draft picks must be granted by May 1st of this year.
Considering there is less than a month left to extend the option, the Chiefs’ time is running out to make a decision on McDuffie.
Let’s examine why Kansas City has yet to hand out the fifth-year option to the 24-year-old cornerback.
Kansas City is Running Out of Time to Provide Fifth-Year Option to Trent McDuffie
Since entering the league in 2022, McDuffie’s coverage ability has stood out. As a rookie, he recorded a 78.0 in coverage, according to PFF.
In his next two seasons, McDuffie recorded a 78.3 (2023) and an 80.6 (2024) in coverage.
The 24-year-old also had pass rush grades of 91.7 (2023) and 90.5 (2024) during those two seasons.
Furthermore, McDuffie has recorded 187 tackles, 27 pass deflections, seven forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions in three years.
The former Washington Huskies cornerback earned back-to-back All-Pro nominations for his play in 2023 and 2024; therefore, placing the fifth-year option on McDuffie makes sense.
That said, McDuffie may fight against the fifth-year-option since Derek Stingley, another cornerback selected in the 2022 draft, received a contract extension this offseason.
Stingley signed a three-year $90 million extension with the Houston Texans, and the team picked up his fifth-year option.
McDuffie likely is looking for a bit more since he has accomplished more than Stingley has in three seasons. Nevertheless.
if the two sides are unable to come to a contract extension before May 1st, Kansas City must provide the fifth-year option to McDuffie even if it straps them for cash in 2026.
