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Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie Expected To Seek Market-Setting CB Contract

By | at November 6, 2025 12:49 pm

The NFL’s top cornerback contract was traded Tuesday, with the Colts taking on Sauce Gardner‘s deal after a blockbuster trade with the Jets. Months earlier, Gardner became the third cornerback this year to raise the cornerback contractual ceiling, securing a four-year, $130.1MM extension.

This has been a trend over the past 14 months. Patrick Surtain raised the bar initially, breaking the ice after a two-year period elapsed with no movement atop the CB market, and Jalen Ramsey came in with a new benchmark a day later in September 2024. The Chiefs have a player who will factor into this conversation, and after Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr. and Jaycee Horn secured market-topping terms this year, it will be expected Trent McDuffie will want the same.

[RELATED: Chiefs Made Offer For Jets RB Breece Hall]

That is expected to be the case, according to ESPN.com’s Nate Taylor, who offers that McDuffie is believed to be seeking an extension that will eclipse Gardner’s in value. Gardner tops the market in AAV ($30.25MM), though Stingley still leads the way in total guarantees ($89.1MM) and fully guaranteed money ($48.1MM) at the position.

Although the Chiefs were able to extend 2022 first-rounder George Karlaftis on a deal outside the top 10 among edge rushers, McDuffie is the more accomplished player from Kansas City’s 2022 class. Despite team interest in a 2025 payday, the sides could not agree on terms this summer. McDuffie, 25, also appears close to becoming the player that convinces the Chiefs to deviate from a long-held philosophy at corner.

Sean Smith did draw a notable contract from the Chiefs, signing a three-year, $16.5MM deal during Andy Reid‘s first offseason in Missouri (2013). Since that contract came off Kansas City’s payroll in 2016, the Chiefs have kept costs low at the position, creating an assembly line of sorts.

The team traded Marcus Peters in 2018, let Steven Nelson walk as a 2019 free agent and did the same with Kendall Fuller (a player initially acquired in the Alex Smith trade) in 2o20. Charvarius Ward left for San Francisco in 2022, and the Chiefs executed a tag-and-trade move to send out L’Jarius Sneed in 2024. The team did give Kristian Fulton a two-year, $20MM deal this offseason; that already brought a deviation. But the former Titans and Chargers cover man has been one of the more disappointing 2025 free agents, playing only 17 defensive snaps as a Chief.

It should be expected Fulton becomes a K.C. one-and-done, with the 2026 offseason being the clear window for a McDuffie extension. The 2022 first-rounder is tied to a $13.63MM fifth-year option in 2026. The team effectively benefits from a loophole in the CBA, with the option formula only recognizing first-ballot Pro Bowls for upward mobility within its four price tiers. McDuffie has been a second-team All-Pro twice, but the Pro Bowl has overlooked him. Thus, a lower-cost option price. However, it should be expected McDuffie will not play the ’26 season on the option.

Used regularly in the slot and on the perimeter, McDuffie has displayed versatility. He has been the Chiefs’ secondary anchor during their three straight Super Bowl years, joining Chris Jones and Nick Bolton as cornerstones on Steve Spagnuolo‘s defense. Pro Football focus ranks McDuffie fifth among corners this season after slotting him in the top five in 2023 and ’24.

Pure boundary CBs lead the market, but given McDuffie’s importance to the Chiefs, it will be expected he becomes the position’s third $30MM-per-year player — especially if the cap makes another leap along the lines of its 2024 and ’25 spikes. That will also be an interesting development for Surtain, who has already seen less accomplished corners move well past his $24MM AAV. The Broncos have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year signed through 2029, however, giving the team some leverage.

As far as McDuffie goes, he looks on track to becoming the corner that changes the Chiefs’ approach. Concessions will then need to be made elsewhere on the roster to accommodate a pricey payday at a position the Chiefs have largely diminished financially under Reid.

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Chiefs Made Offer For RB Breece Hall; Jets Did Not Budge On Asking Price

By | at November 5, 2025 10:02 pm

Isiah Pacheco is out once again, forcing the Chiefs to lean on 30-year-old Kareem Hunt and seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith. Kansas City was linked to running back trades since August, even though the team believed Pacheco would deliver a strong contract year. Nothing materialized, but it was not for lack of trying.

The Chiefs are believed to have made an offer for the top running back available, with SNY’s Connor Hughes reporting the three-time reigning AFC champions sent a fourth-round proposal to the Jets for Breece Hall. The Jets held out for a third, according to Hughes and ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Only one running back (Tank Bigsby) ended up being traded in-season, and that deal occurred in mid-September.

After the Jets’ explosive deadline, Aaron Glenn said (via Hughes) Hall is “not a guy I want to get rid of.” This, of course, came after Hall made a last-ditch trade request following the Jets’ trades of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. But the Jets will now move into position to potentially discuss a second contract for the former second-round pick. They will hold exclusive Hall negotiating rights until the March legal tampering period.

Glenn spoke against a Hall trade before the deadline, and previous reporting pegged the Jets as setting a Day 2 asking price for the contract-year back. The Chiefs backed down on offering what will likely be a late-Day 2 selection, given their success under Andy Reid, and will move forward with Hunt, Smith and eventually Pacheco.

Kansas City has been unable to find a dynamic back since Hunt’s first stint, one that brought an abrupt ending due to the running back being shown kicking a woman on the ground at a Cleveland hotel. That video led to the Chiefs waiving Hunt, and the Patrick Mahomes era has since included low-end investments at the position. While the Chiefs have seen some players make memorable contributions — from Pacheco to Damien Williams to pass-down specialist Jerick McKinnon — they have not had a player on Hall’s level since waiving the younger Hunt version seven years ago.

The team did make efforts here, missing on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 2020 first round and then seeing a 2024 Josh Jacobs free agency push fall short. But the AFC power has understandably prioritized higher-value positions, letting the likes of Pacheco (a 2022 seventh-round pick) and low-end free agents (Williams, McKinnon, Hunt 2.0) handle ball-carrying duties.

The Chiefs rank 12th in rushing, but Mahomes’ 285 yards has contributed heavily to that number. Pacheco is not on IR, being deemed week-to-week with an MCL sprain, so it is possible Kansas City will be at full strength coming out of its Week 10 bye. But the Chiefs’ Hall push shows a sense of urgency — but ultimately a price point — with regards to adding a back this season. This also would have been at least a regional homecoming for Hall, who went to high school in Wichita, Kansas.

A fourth-rounder would have been nothing to scoff at regarding a rental trade for the Jets. While Gang Green dealt Gardner and Williams, the team held onto players who drew more pre-deadline rumors — Jermaine Johnson, Quincy Williams, Allen Lazard. The Jets, however, now have more time to evaluate Hall in Tanner Engstrand‘s offense.

Hall, 24, is on pace for his first 1,000-yard season. A report indicated the Jets — who had not shown interest in an extension this year — have seen some in the facility show more interest in signing Hall to a second contract. While the RB market has seen a gradual depression, some high-value deals for stars notwithstanding, Hall’s age and his ACL tear having occurred back in 2022 should give him a reasonably strong market come March.

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Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/25

By | at November 5, 2025 7:36 pm

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

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2025 NFL Trades

By | at November 4, 2025 10:24 pm

The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. While the Cowboys and Steelers’ George Pickens swap showed moves can be made at other points on the NFL calendar, early March, the draft, the late-August 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. On that note, it is a good time to check in on what has transpired on the trade market ahead of today’s deadline.

Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2025:

March 1

49ers chose running back Jordan James at 147

March 4

Rams traded pick to Vikings, moving up to No. 172 for linebacker Chris Paul Jr.

March 5

March 6

March 7

Seahawks chose quarterback Jalen Milroe at 92

March 9

Seahawks used No. 52 to trade up (via the Titans) 17 spots for safety Nick Emmanwori, drafted running back Damien Martinez at 223; Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard at 185

March 10

Texans added wide receiver Jaylin Noel at 79, sent 236 to Jaguars in Day 2 trade; Commanders chose wideout Jaylin Lane at No. 128 

Eagles used No. 164 to climb one spot (via Chiefs) in first round for linebacker Jihaad Campbell

March 11

March 12

Bills took Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock at 170; Cowboys chose guard Ajani Cornelius at No. 204

Titans drafted running back Kalel Mullings at No. 188; Cowboys chose running back Phil Mafah at 239

March 13

March 15

Vikings packaged No. 187 in trade-down move (via Texans); 49ers drafted safety Marques Sigle at 160

April 3

Patriots traded down from No. 171 (via Lions) to draft kicker Andres Borregales; Cowboys chose defensive tackle Jay Toia at 217

April 26

Seahawks selected defensive lineman Rylie Mills at No. 142; Vikings traded No. 172 to Rams

May 7

June 2

Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder if performance-based conditions are met

June 30

July 1

August 4

August 17

August 20

August 22

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

September 8

2026 fifth-round pick (from Bryce Huff trade) could upgrade to fourth-rounder, which would be sent to Jacksonville if 49ers DE meets those conditions

September 14

September 23

September 29

October 7

October 8

October 27

October 28

October 29

November 1

November 3

November 4

Higher of Cowboys’ two 2027 firsts will go to Jets in Williams trade

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NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/25

By | at November 4, 2025 7:37 pm

With lots of roster movement surrounding the trade deadline, practice squads needed rearranging, as well. Here are today’s practice squad updates:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

The Texans are bringing Wright on as an emergency option as regular kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn works through an injury. Wright has plenty of experience in this role as this will be his fourth team this year alone.

2 comments Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tennessee Titans Transactions

Chiefs OT Josh Simmons Returns To Team Facility, Expected Back In Lineup In Week 11

By | at November 3, 2025 5:20 pm

The Chiefs are set to get some major reinforcement on their offensive line. According to Jordan Schultz, rookie left tackle Josh Simmons has returned to the team facility after tending to a personal matter. It sounds like Simmons should be back in the lineup when the Chiefs return from bye in Week 11.

[RELATED: Chiefs LT Josh Simmons To Return In A Few Weeks]

Simmons was a late addition to Kansas City’s injury report in Week 5 with an illness. He got into that game but proceeded to miss the next four contests. We haven’t gotten any definitive details on the personal matter he was dealing with, and his absence was tagged with a non-injury-related/personal designation.

Either way, it sounds like the first-round pick will soon be back protecting Patrick Mahomes‘ blind side. The former Ohio State product started each of Kansas City’s first five games this season, with Pro Football Focus grading him 43rd among 75 qualifying offensive tackles. The site has been particularly bullish on his pass-blocking ability, although they dinged him for his run-blocking prowess.

With the rookie out of the lineup, the Chiefs have turned to offseason acquisition Jaylon Moore. The veteran inked a two-year, $30MM deal with the Chiefs this offseason with the expectation that he’d compete for a starting spot opposite RT Jawaan Taylor. With Simmons running with the starting gig, Moore transitioned to a high-priced depth piece, but the Chiefs have been fortunate to have him on the roster in recent weeks. Pro Football Focus has graded the former 49ers draft pick as the 30th-best tackle in 2025.

When Simmons returns to the lineup, Moore will likely settle back into a bench role. This is a unique luxury that few contenders can tout, and there’s a chance the Chiefs get creative with their OL options during the stretch run of the season.

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Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/25

By | at November 1, 2025 8:23 pm

Here are today’s minor moves and practice squad callups for the ninth weekend of the NFL season:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Steelers are getting Harrison back at a crucial time. Fellow linebacker Cole Holcomb has been ruled out this weekend with an illness — as has safety Chuck Clark, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network — and Harrison should be able to reinforce the group. He has plenty of experience playing next to starter Patrick Queen from their time together in Baltimore, so perhaps he’ll be able to step in and contribute right away.

The Chargers continue to see their running backs room plagued with injury. Haskins joins Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on injured reserve. Johnson and Patterson will suit up tomorrow to provide some depth behind lone survivor Kimani Vidal.

With Terry McLaurin once again set to miss time, Burks, the newly signed p-squad addition, will make his Washington debut. Also a newly signed p-squad addition, Lewis will make his Denver debut this weekend. If he sees game time, 2025 will officially be Lewis’ 20th season in the NFL.

After missing the last three games, Gross-Matos appeared to be close to returning to play. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, the 27-year-old re-injured his hamstring at practice on Thursday and will now miss another four games.

For Leota in New Orleans, Mosby in Green Bay, Sermon in Pittsburgh, Zakelj in San Francisco, and both Proche and Watkins in Tennessee, this Sunday will be their third and final standard gameday practice squad elevation on their current deals. In order to appear in any more games after this, their respective teams will need to sign them to the active roster.

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Chiefs Could Be In Market For RBs

By | at October 31, 2025 11:13 pm

With Isiah Pacheco finding himself unavailable due to injury, the Chiefs are reportedly exploring the trade market options at the position, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. There are several different options that could be attractive to Kansas City.

While featured backs like Breece Hall and Alvin Kamara are seemingly on the market, the Chiefs haven’t really had a true featured back since Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt‘s rookie year, when Hunt carried the ball 272 times and the next running back had 18 carries. Ever since that 2017 campaign, Kansas City hasn’t seen a 1,000-yard rusher, nor has it seen a single back dominate the team’s carries like Hunt did. The Chiefs have, instead, operated with a stable of backs, and that doesn’t seem likely to change now.

Even without Pacheco, there are familiar names of backs the team drafted years ago on the roster. Hunt has been RB2 in Kansas City after returning last year, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is currently on the team’s practice squad. Behind Hunt, rookie seventh-round pick Brashard Smith and Elijah Mitchell sit on the active roster, though Mitchell has been inactive for every game this year. Hunt has mostly split carries with Pacheco in the run game, and Smith has established a role as a third-down back, utilizing his skills as a receiver, the position he originally played in college before transitioning to running back after transferring to SMU.

So, what kind of options fit in with Kansas City’s approach to the position? After taking a pay cut and watching two rookies pass him up on the depth chart, Jerome Ford could find his way to Kansas City via trade. In the same division, Justice Hill has been a staple in Baltimore since being drafted, mostly for working as if no job is too small. The Ravens have been making a concerted effort to find more touches for third-year back Keaton Mitchell, though, and with Derrick Henry as the featured rusher, Hill may be seen as superfluous in Baltimore’s backfield.

In the NFC, two recently demoted backs could be available. In Carolina, Chuba Hubbard missed some time due to injury and watched Rico Dowdle take the offense by storm and move into the starting role. Philadelphia traded for Tank Bigsby out of Jacksonville, relegating former Packers RB2 AJ Dillon to a fourth-string role. As a power back, Dillon probably makes the most sense to replace Pacheco in the rotation, but as a Super Bowl adversary in two of the past three years, the Eagles may not be super willing to make a trade that could improve the Chiefs this year.

Breer’s report came only this morning, so more clues may make headlines in the days to come indicating what direction Kansas City is looking in. News of Pacheco’s injury is only three days old itself, and there may be no need for a trade if his outlook improves in the next few days. For now, Hunt and Smith will take on larger roles in the backfield, and Mitchell may make his 2025 debut.

1 comment Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Shopping For Defensive Line Depth

By | at October 30, 2025 9:35 pm

The Chiefs reunited with defensive tackle Mike Pennel yesterday, but the team may not be done adding defensive line help. According to Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs are currently shopping for a defensive lineman.

[RELATED: Chiefs To Bring Back DT Mike Pennel]

While Kansas City’s offense keeps adding reinforcement, it seemed likely that the front office would look to add to the defense ahead of the trade deadline. The Chiefs have lost defensive end Felix Anudike- Uzomah and second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott for the season, and they’ve gotten one of the worst DT performances in the NFL from Derrick Nnadi. While Pennel should help shore up the middle of the defensive line, the team could still seek additional depth at that position.

The Chiefs could also look to add on the edge. George Karlaftis continues to come into his own, pacing the squad with 4.5 sacks. Otherwise, Kansas City hasn’t gotten more than a pair of sacks from any one individual on the team. That includes veteran Chris Jones, who has tallied only two sacks following his five-sack showing in 2024. Even if Kansas City doesn’t have to be as reliant on the veteran’s pass-rush ability, they’ll surely be looking to pair him with some extra depth ahead of the second half of the season.

While the defense will surely be a priority for the Chiefs front office, they could also look to add to their offense over the next few days. We already heard rumblings that they could add some running back depth, and that was before Isiah Pacheco suffered an MCL injury. Left tackle Josh Simmons will also be sidelined for a few more weeks while he deals with a personal matter, but any Super Bowl contender would be sniffing around for OL depth, anyway.

Brett Veach has generally been active with midseason moves, and this season will be no exception. While the organization has generally had more luck with scooping up midseason free agents vs. trades, we can confidently say the Chiefs will add some reinforcement ahead of the stretch run.

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Chiefs To Bring Back DT Mike Pennel

By | at October 29, 2025 1:26 pm

Mike Pennel is in an age-34 season and saw a struggling Bengals defense drop him. Pennel, however, requested the release. He has found a familiar landing spot.

Following a workout, the 12th-year veteran defensive tackle is returning to the Chiefs, veteran insider Jordan Schultz tweets. This will be Pennel’s third stint with the team; his most recent covered the past two seasons. The Chiefs waived defensive end Malik Herring, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, moving Pennel onto the active roster.

Pennel has been on four of the Chiefs’ five Patrick Mahomes-era Super Bowl teams, being elsewhere only for their Super Bowl LVII-winning season in 2022. Chris Jones advocated for his return recently, via Schultz, calling the experienced depth DT important for the team’s culture. Pennel was a part-time starter alongside Jones last season, and the Chiefs will see what he has left in his mid-30s this year.

The Chiefs initially added Pennel as a free agent in 2019, and they re-signed the backup interior option in 2020. The second deal barely cleared $1MM. Pennel returned as a practice squad option in 2023, following one-offs with the Falcons (2021) and Bears (2022), and saw his role expand in the playoffs. Last year, the Chiefs re-signed him on a one-year, $1.38MM deal. The three-time reigning AFC champions reupped him again this offseason (at $1.42MM) but cut him as they set their initial 53-man roster, leading to the Cincinnati agreement.

Playing in all eight Bengals games this season, Pennel had begun to lose playing time as the campaign progressed. His 25% defensive snap share remained in the ballpark of his recent Chiefs usage, but it had dropped over the past three games. Only part of Chiefs rosters during Steve Spagnuolo‘s seven-year DC tenure, Pennel will return as a role player for a team that lost Tershawn Wharton in free agency and has lost second-round rookie D-tackle Omarr Norman-Lott to an ACL tear.

Last season, Pennel started seven games and recorded three sacks in the regular season. He has played between 25-34% of K.C.’s defensive snaps over his previous four seasons with the team. Pennel has started six playoff games (including Super Bowl LVIII) with the team, including three in 2023 and one last season. He joins Derrick Nnadi as DTs reacquired by the Chiefs this year; Kansas City added Nnadi back in a trade with the Jets just before the season. This duo joins Jones and Jerry Tillery in K.C.’s DT room.

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