Tag: Trent McDuffie

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo explains the legacy left by former All-Pro Safety

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo explains the legacy left by Tyrann Mathieu | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has dramatically improved over the years, primarily due to veteran talent that changed the culture.

During Friday’s press conference, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised former star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

“Listen, I’ve got a special place in my heart for (Saints S) Tyrann (Mathieu), right? He’s a special guy. It’ll be great to see him” said Spagnuolo. “I think the last time – I think we saw him when we went down there (to New Orleans) (for the) preseason game. Yeah, that’s the last time we got the chance to give him a big hug, but (I) love Tyrann.

Mathieu signed with his hometown, New Orleans Saints, before the start of the 2023 season but made sure to leave an ongoing legacy within the Chiefs secondary.

“You know, I see it every day. It’s a little thing, but our DBs, before we – you guys aren’t out there until we get to stretch, right?” said Spagnuolo “Usually, about 10 minutes before that, all of the DBs are out on the field, and they’re doing footwork and (Defensive Backs Coach) Dave’s (Merritt) with them and (Safeties Coach) Donald’s (D’Alesio) with them, but that was really established with Tyrann all the way back (in 2019). He was pulling those guys out of the locker room 10 minutes early, so that’s a leadership thing.”

Mathieu spent three seasons in Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl selections twice, first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and second-team honors in 2019. He made an impression on a young L’Jarius Sneed, who has then passed on traits to current lead defensive back Trent McDuffie.

“I think he laid a foundation here, especially in the secondary, of some of the things that we do quite frankly and the way (that) they operate,” said Spagnuolo. “I know those years. Looking back on when he was first here (Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed), LJ was young at the time, and I remember him learning from Tyrann. Then, Tyrann left, and LJ was teaching Trent (McDuffie), so there’s been a trickle down, and I think we owe Tyrann a lot for what he did when he was here.”

If he’s available to play on Monday, Mathieu should expect some applause and appreciation from the Arrowhead Stadium crowd.

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie earned significant ratings boost in Madden 25

#Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie earned a significant ratings boost on ‘Madden 25’ after Kansas City’s win over the #Bengals in Week 2.

It is no secret that third-year cornerback Trent McDuffie has become one of the NFL’s top defenders, and as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the experts at EA Sports have taken notice of his efforts.

McDuffie, who has become the top defensive back in Kansas City’s secondary, earned a significant rating boost on Madden 25 this week, making him a must-add player for users to utilize.

Madden announced his progression in a post to Twitter, that featured a graphic showing exactly what tweaks they made.

Though he isn’t the best cornerback in the game, McDuffie’s coverage ability is as impressive in Madden as it is on the real-life NFL gridiron.

https://twitter.com/EAMaddenNFL/status/1836903124545441974

It should come as no surprise that McDuffie is one of the most coveted players in Madden, especially given his outstanding play in the absence of veteran L’Jarius Sneed, who left the Chiefs in the 2024 offseason.

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie evaluates his first two games: ‘I think I’m doing my job good’

Kansas City #Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie evaluates his first two games: ‘I think I’m doing my job good’ | @EdEastonJr

Chiefs All-Pro defensive back Trent McDuffie spoke with reporters on Wednesday about his self-evaluation as the team’s lead cornerback after two games.

“I think I’m doing my job good,” said McDuffie. “Definitely things that I have to clean up on the backend as far as communication, as far as technique wise. (I’m) kind of still getting comfortable out there at the corner position and playing that role that (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) wants me to play.”

McDuffie earned his All-Pro honors last season as a slot cornerback and has transitioned to the lead defensive back following the opposing team’s best receiver.

“I thought I did a good job at just making sure everybody knows where I’m at on the field,” said McDuffie. “Having to travel, a lot of guys have to go to different places, so just being vocal about that and just letting people know where I’m at on the field is kind of something that I’m trying to work on a little bit better.”

The Chiefs defense has had mixed reviews through two games, but McDuffie has been impressive in his new role.

Previewing Chiefs’ Week 2 game vs. Bengals on Chiefs Wire Podcast

On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr’s chats w/ Jermaine Kearse & Trent McDuffie #CINvsKC

We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs Week 2 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie after he hosted the Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen’ event at Arrowhead Stadium. He recapped the fantastic event with Little Caesars, the NFL’s Official Pizza Sponsor, spreading love to Kansas City and looking ahead to Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

We check in with this past week’s press conferences, which featured comments from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and head coach Andy Reid ahead of Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium. Lastly, Former Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl champion Jermaine Kearse opened up about his involvement in the inaugural First Responders Children’s Foundation Golf Classic Fundraiser to honor local first responders in commemorating the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 event and thoughts on the success of fellow Washington Huskies alum McDuffie.

The latest episode of the Chiefs Wire Podcast will inform listeners about all developments in the team’s game plan and allow them to learn more about their Pro Bowl cornerback.

Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of Sunday’s kickoff:

Washington Huskies legend Jermaine Kearse on the development of Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie

Super Bowl champion Jermaine Kearse reflects on the growth of Kansas City #Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie w/ @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant change in their secondary before the start of this season, and a young defensive back has risen to new levels as the leader on the depth chart.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to the Washington Huskies alum Jermaine Kearse at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton before he participated in the inaugural Golf Classic Fundraiser to honor local first responders in commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11.

Kearse opened up about his involvement in the event and thoughts on the success of fellow Huskies alum Trent McDuffie.

“I serve on the Board of PLTgolf, the leading sponsor of this event, and when I joined the board, our tagline was, Give, Golf, Grow,” said Kearse. “The support behind the First Responders Children’s Foundation, my brother, my younger brother, just recently became a police officer.

“There are a lot of things that brought me out here to be able to support, knowing that I have a family member who’s a first responder and all the families across the country who ultimately make the sacrifice that each first responder makes. It was a no-brainer for me to support it here. It’s such a great event.”

Kearse was a standout wide receiver during his college playing days at the University of Washington before becoming a Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks and stints with the New York Jets and Detroit Lions in the NFL. He returned to the school, serving as an assistant coach in previous years and getting an early look at future Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie.

“I got to watch Trent (McDuffie) play up and close and personal,” Kearse explained. “I was on the coaching staff a bit when he was playing at Washington, and you just automatically saw his talent through his work ethic and how he goes about his business on nongame days.

‘He’s a hard worker. He’s always trying to perfect his craft. The University of Washington has a lineage of great DBs (Defensive Backs) to come out of there, and he’s just continuing that legacy; he is just a tremendous hard worker and a super awesome person, which translates into what he’s doing on the field.”

McDuffie earned All-Pro honors in his sophomore season and has been tabbed as the Chiefs top cornerback. He has already made sensational plays in Week 1 of the season as the team seeks an unprecedented three-peat.

“Back-to-back Super Bowls, in the future, a three-peat, it’s a really cool thing to see from where he started, coming in as a freshman at UW (University of Washington),” said Kearse. “Carrying out that work to the NFL, seeing his success blossom and his talents being exposed to the world to see how really good of a player he is, he continues to show that day in and day out.”

First Responders Children’s Foundation is a national organization that provides programs and resources to address the needs of first responders and their families. It was founded over 22 years ago in response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent.

Additional information about FRCF can be found at 1stRCF.org and on Facebook, X, and Instagram @1strcf.

Trent McDuffie recaps Little Caesars ‘Love Kitchen’ event, discusses Chiefs’ gameplan for Bengals

Kansas City #Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie recaps Little Caesars ‘Love Kitchen’ event, discusses gameplan vs. #Bengals w/ @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense excelled in its Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, due in no small part to the exceptional play of cornerback Trent McDuffie.

After the unit knocked off Lamar Jackson to start the 2024 regular season, critics are no longer questioning the effectiveness of Kansas City’s secondary after the departure of L’Jarius Sneed earlier this year.

McDuffie has continued to improve each game he plays, further solidifying his place at the summit of the league’s best cornerbacks lists.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to the All-Pro cornerback after McDuffie hosted the Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen’ event at Arrowhead Stadium. He recapped the fantastic event with Little Caesars, the NFL’s Official Pizza Sponsor, spreading love to Kansas City and looking ahead to Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Man, it was awesome,” McDuffie said. “I kept saying my favorite thing was the actual ‘Love Kitchen,’ knowing that they served over 4 million families was honestly inspiring to me. The event overall was dope, the fans that were out here, the military families, signing autographs, taking pictures, they had music playing right in front of the stadium, and it was just an overall positive atmosphere.”

https://twitter.com/McKenzieMNelson/status/1832459458322010305

The Cincinnati Bengals will visit Arrowhead Stadium next Sunday with questions about the availability of their star wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. McDuffie doesn’t believe this will affect the Chiefs’ game plan or focus heading into Week 2 against their AFC rival.

“I don’t know if it’s going to change the overall game plan,” McDuffie explained. “Still, I think it definitely makes the preparation a little bit more tedious, just because now you have to account for backup receivers and maybe play backup tight ends and maybe different personnel. But the overall game plan and how you approach the game, I’m thinking both of them are going to play, and we’re going to have a battle and a challenge, and it’s going to be a really good game on Sunday.”

For more information on Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, log on to the website littlecaesars.com

Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie reflects on his fourth-down stop of Ravens WR Zay Flowers

Kansas City #Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie reflects on his fourth-down stop of Ravens WR Zay Flowers w/ @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 victory over the Baltimore Ravens featured many big plays on both sides of the ball. Aside from the thrilling finish, a play early in the game changed the momentum of the matchup.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie after he hosted the Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen’ event at Arrowhead Stadium. He described the impactful fourth-down stop in the first half on Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, which stalled Baltimore’s momentum.

Little Caesars partnered with McDuffie and the Chiefs on Saturday. They hosted attendees, including military members from the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Air National Guard, Fort Riley Army Base, Fort Leavenworth, Missouri Air National Guard, Offutt Air Force Base, and Whiteman Air Force Base, to enjoy pizza, drinks, games, special appearances, and a tour of Arrowhead Stadium.

McDuffie took some time away from greeting fans with pizza to break down his signature play from the win over the Ravens.

“Yeah. So actually, during the play, they ran hurry up, so our defense was kind of scrambling, trying to figure out what coverage we’re going to be in,” McDuffie explained. “For me, the whole game, I was looking for Zay Flowers, and on that play, I actually didn’t see him at all. So, I was like, I’m gonna just stick to what I usually do. I’m gonna go on the left side, send Jaylen Watson to the right side, and we’ll just live for the down and seeing Lamar Jackson back there; I thought it was going to be run.”

The moment was crucial as the Ravens were poised to keep the drive going and do damage before the end of the first half. McDuffie reacted instinctively once he noticed it wouldn’t be a run play.

“So that’s why you don’t see me like bailing out. That’s why you see me just flat foot,” McDuffie said. “And then, shoot, Zay Flowers just came into my field of vision. And once I saw Lamar look at him, I knew what the play was, and just trying to make a stop, really, it was like the right place, right time, and it kind of just fell into my hands. So, I just need to make sure I made that tackle when we get off that field.”

https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1832093960384500163

For more information on Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, log on to the website littlecaesars.com

Trent McDuffie comments on final moments of Chiefs’ thrilling Week 1 victory

@EdEastonJr spoke to Trent McDuffie about his favorite Little Caesars pizza and the suspenseful ending of Thursday’s win over the Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs emerged from Week 1 with an exciting victory over the Baltimore Ravens thanks to accurate instant replay.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie after he hosted the Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen’ event at Arrowhead Stadium. He revealed his thoughts on his favorite pizza topping and the suspenseful ending of last Thursday’s game.

“I love this question,” said McDuffie regarding his favorite pizza topping from Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL. “It’s very controversial… pineapple pizza is always a thing for me. It’s the best I’m telling you!”

The finish to last Thursday’s kickoff game against the Ravens had everyone watching and involved on pins and needles, awaiting a replay review from the referees. McDuffie detailed his mindset from the catch to waiting on the field through the review process.

“Yeah. I mean, when he first scored, obviously, I was upset about it,” said McDuffie. “It was zero seconds on the clock. You never want to see the offense score. At that time, we were up almost the whole game. So, as a defense, it was like, dang, okay, we got to go back and fix things. But I saw that the Ravens were going to go for two.

“So, in my head, I’m just thinking of all the two-point plays, what defense we’re going to call, mentally and physically, and trying to get myself ready to win the game on this last play. And then, looking at the scoreboard, I mean, to all the players, at least it looked like he scored. So it was like, okay, dang, like we’re gonna play this.”

Chiefs were victorious in Week 1 over the Ravens following the overturned Isaiah Likely touchdown after it was ruled through replay that his toe landed out of bounds in the back of the endzone. McDuffie sighed in relief after noticing the reigning Super Bowl MVP’s reaction.

“Once, I saw Patrick Mahomes sprinting on the field to the other side of the end zone. I was like, okay, the touchdown got overturned like we won this game. It was just a relief,” said McDuffie, “Starting the year off with the win and being in front of the home crowd with the Super Bowl banner that got dropped, overall starting the season that’s how you want to start it off.”

For more information on Little Caesars, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, log on to the website littlecaesars.com

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on the uncertainty surrounding the second cornerback position

Kansas City #Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo on the uncertainty surrounding the second cornerback position | @EdEastonJr

The cornerback position is critical for any team in the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs already feature an All-Pro in Trent McDuffie but followed by question marks on the depth chart.

After Monday’s practice, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spoke with reporters about the lack of a standout for the second starting cornerback spot.

“It’s an unanswered question right now, to be honest with you,” said Spagnuolo. “With the injuries that we dealt with and the guys in and out, it was hard to say, ‘This is the guy that won the job,’ so, there will probably be a bunch of them (cornerbacks) playing. We mix and match a lot anyway, so there will be a lot of that going on.”

Defensive backs expected to be in the second cornerback spot include Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, and Chamarri Conner. Spagnuolo indicated the importance of solidifying the slot cornerback spot in Thursday’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

“I mean, the expectation is (that) they’re going to come in here and try to run it –which we get it. Hopefully, we can get them in situations where they’ve got to throw, and we can be good against that because this team – listen, they get noted as a running team – they can do everything,” said Spagnuolo. “They have really good wideouts; their quarterback can extend the down, we all know that. He’s (Ravens QB Lamar Jackson) accurate. I mean, we’ve got a great deal of respect for them. “

The Chiefs have officially moved on from L’Jarius Sneed. The first regular-season game will help determine whether they made the right decision not to retain the talented cornerback.

Patrick Mahomes: Chiefs three-peat ‘would mean the world to me’

Check out this video of #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes explaining his goals for the 2024 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to rest their starters against the Chicago Bears on Thursday ahead of the NFL’s regular season kickoff on September 5, where the defending champions will face the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium.

While Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie ride the pine this week, the Chiefs’ attention will turn toward the team’s ultimate goal; achieving a Super Bowl three-peat.

When Mahomes was asked about his goals for the 2024 season in a video posted to the NFL’s official Twitter account, he made it clear that anything less than a third-consecutive title would fall short of his objective.

Check out his full interview below:

Though Mahomes isn’t expected to take the field against Chicago on Thursday, his campaign to become the NFL’s first back-to-back-to-back champion is already underway.

Expect the veteran quarterback to be razor-sharp when he faces the Ravens in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season.