The Rams filled a major need before the start of free agency by working out a deal to acquire Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs. Los Angeles is now tasked with reaching an extension agreement with the All-Pro corner. 
McDuffie is attached to his fifth-year option for 2026, but a massive raise will be needed to ensure he remains in place with the Rams for years to come. A market-topping extension will likely be required for a pact to be finalized. A deal may be in place soon.
“Significant progress” has been made recently with respect to negotiations, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. McDuffie could have his new pact in place shortly as a result, with Garafolo noting there is a hope for the deal to be finalized soon. An agreement is within “striking distance” at this point, Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport adds.
The Rams sent a package highlighted by the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft to land McDuffie. The 25-year-old is on course to collect $13.63MM based on Kansas City’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. That will pale in comparison to any long-term deal signed with Los Angeles. Given the price paid in the trade, many expected the Rams to have a major offer ready in McDuffie’s case. It would certainly benefit the team to have an extension in place before the new league year begins this week.
As Garafolo notes, a pact averaging $30MM or more can be expected in this case. Derek Stingley. reached that figure in terms of average annual value on his Texans extension. Sauce Gardner then moved to the top of the pecking order when he signed a Jets deal carrying an AAV of $30.1MM. With the cap seeing its latest rise recently and topping $300MM, McDuffie could be the next in line to become the top-earning cornerback.
The Washington alum served as a full-time starter during his Chiefs tenure, totaling only three interceptions but positing 34 pass deflections and eight forced fumbles. Continued production and strong play in coverage will be expected in this case as the Rams look to secure a staple of their secondary for the foreseeable future. News of an extension agreement being imminent comes one day after fellow corner Darious Williams retired.
Improving against the pass will be a key offseason priority for Los Angeles. McDuffie will go a long way in that effort if all goes well during his debut Rams campaign, and he could become a core member of the roster well beyond next season provided a deal can be struck. Many other key financial decisions are still to be made by the NFC runners-up, but a major piece of business may soon be taken care of.