Cornerback contracts have continued to soar within the NFL, with Derek Stingley breaking the financial institution on a three-year, $90 million extension this offseason that included $89 million in complete ensures.
Six cornerbacks have annual salaries price over $20 million per yr, and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defensive again Trent McDuffie could possibly be the subsequent to hit the mark.
McDuffie, coming into his age-25 season, goes into the fourth yr of his rookie contract in 2025. The Chiefs have already picked up his fifth-year possibility, which can pay him $13.6 million in 2026, however a long-term extension is predicted sooner slightly than later for among the best younger cornerbacks within the NFL.
Kansas Metropolis has had an fascinating trajectory at cornerback, letting a number of of their homegrown stars go after their rookie offers expired. Some notable names embody L’Jarius Sneed, who received a four-year, $80 million cope with the Tennessee Titans, and Charvarius Ward, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers again in 2022.
However, McDuffie may change that, as he’s already earned a First-Workforce All-Professional choice and a Second-Workforce All-Professional choice in his first three years within the NFL. Moreover, he’s proven up within the greatest moments, being a key cog on the Chiefs’ protection within the playoffs.
What may a doable extension for McDuffie appear to be, be it this or subsequent offseason?
Baseline numbers for a Trent McDuffie Chiefs contract
Given McDuffie’s age and rapid manufacturing, it’s not out of the query to say he can reset the cornerback market when he will get prolonged.
He was a part of a powerful 2022 cornerback draft class that included Derek Stingley, Sauce Gardner, and Tariq Woolen, and that group has already began to reap the advantages.
Stingley signed a three-year, $90 million cope with $89 million assured, as talked about above, which utterly reset the market. Earlier than that, Jaycee Horn’s four-year, $100 million deal was on the prime for cornerbacks, which was signed every week earlier this offseason.
Final offseason, Patrick Surtain II signed a four-year, $96 million cope with $77.5 million assured, which reset the market.
So, the cornerback market is just going up, which is why it’d be sensible for the Chiefs to behave sooner slightly than afterward a McDuffie deal in the event that they’re assured he’ll be part of their future long-term.
Now, there’s something vital to notice with the rookie extensions. Stingley did have two years remaining on his rookie deal (fourth yr + fifth-year possibility), so his complete compensation is 5 years for $113 million. That $22.6 million per yr continues to be important, however sounds much more possible than $30 million per yr.
Equally, Jaycee Horn had the fifth-year possibility left on his rookie contract, so his complete compensation was $112.5 million over 5 years, barely beneath Stingley’s.
Patrick Surtain additionally had two years left on his rookie deal (fourth yr + fifth-year possibility), leaving his complete compensation at $119.3 million over six years, which roughly equates to $19.9 million per yr.
These are all figures to bear in mind when evaluating a McDuffie extension.
Projecting a brand new Trent McDuffie deal
There hasn’t been a lot buzz a few McDuffie extension for the Chiefs, however they’d be higher suited to get a deal completed sooner slightly than later, given the rising marketplace for cornerbacks.
Derek Stingley and Jaycee Horn reset the market this offseason, however McDuffie arguably has a greater resume than each. Stingley earned his first Professional Bowl and First-Workforce All-Professional this season, whereas Horn received his first Professional Bowl look as nicely.
McDuffie, alternatively, has a First-Workforce All-Professional, and a Second-Workforce All-Professional on his resume. To not point out, he’s been a playoff performer and has additionally been totally wholesome the previous two years.
When contemplating a McDuffie extension, we should always take into account the brand new cash and the entire compensation with the 2 years left on his rookie deal.
At the moment, McDuffie has a $2.61 million wage for 2025 and a $13.63 million fifth-year possibility for 2026, totalling $16.24 million over the subsequent two years, in accordance with Spotrac. Keep in mind, Stingley had a complete compensation of $113 million for 5 years.
That could possibly be the blueprint for McDuffie, who would be capable of hit the open market after his age-29 season and nonetheless money in on a 3rd main contract.
To equate Stingley’s compensation, McDuffie must earn a minimum of a three-year, $96.8 million extension. Then comes the assured cash. I don’t see McDuffie getting a near-fully assured deal, however a lot of the contract must be assured for damage, particularly when contemplating the 5 years in complete compensation.
So, right here’s our last projection:
Projection: 3 years, $97 million, $80 million in ensures
