Quarterback Patrick Mahomes clearly didn’t approve of the Kansas City Chiefs trading cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Chiefs sent 2023 first-team All-Pro McDuffie to the Rams on Wednesday for pick No. 29 in the 2026 NFL Draft, 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks and a 2027 third-round pick.
Mahomes didn’t seem to care about the newfound draft capital. After the news broke, he posted a one-word reaction on X.
“Damn…” wrote the QB.
It’s easy to understand why Patrick Mahomes is upset about the Chiefs trading Trent McDuffie
Yes, the Chiefs received a haul for McDuffie, but it’s challenging to replace players of his caliber. Since the Chiefs selected the CB with pick No. 21 in the 2022 NFL Draft, he has established himself as one of the better defenders in the league.
In four seasons with the Chiefs, he had three interceptions and 34 passes defended. During the 2025 season, the CB played only 13 games due to a knee injury, but he remained productive. Pro Football Reference credited him with 365 yards allowed in pass coverage, the second-best mark of his career.
Even more concerning for the Chiefs is their lack of a clear replacement for McDuffie. Fellow CB Jaylen Watson is set to become a free agent when the new league year begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. Kansas City may not re-sign him after he allowed 501 receiving yards in pass coverage in 15 games, the second-worst mark of his career (via PFR).
The Chiefs should consider using one of their first-round picks (No. 9 and No. 29) on a corner to replace McDuffie, perhaps LSU Tigers CB Mansoor Delane (6-foot, 187 pounds) or South Carolina Gamecocks CB Brandon Cisse (6-foot, 189 pounds).
Kansas City also needs to nail all the other picks it acquired in the McDuffie trade. Otherwise, Mahomes will be even more upset that the franchise moved a player who helped it win its two most recent Super Bowls.
