Tag: Trent McDuffie

Pro Football Focus: Trent McDuffie ranks as NFL’s second-best cornerback

Pro Football Focus recently ranked #Chiefs star Trent McDuffie as the NFL’s second-best cornerback.

Teams around the NFL have struggled to stop the Kansas City Chiefs offense since Patrick Mahomes took over as the team’s starter in 2017, and with three Super Bowl rings to show for his efforts, the two-time MVP has blossomed into one of the league’s best players.

But Mahomes isn’t the only Chief earning recognition for his outstanding play. This week, Pro Football Focus ranked standout defender Trent McDuffie as the league’s second-best cornerback.

McDuffie has been a revelation for Kansas City’s secondary since joining the Chiefs as a first-round pick in 2022 and cemented his role as one of the league’s premier defensive backs with outstanding showings in the team’s run to Super Bowl LVIII.

Few teams in the NFL can boast the kind of talent that Kansas City has on both sides of the ball, and this latest honor for McDuffie serves as a reminder that the Chiefs are anything but one-dimensional.

Patrick Mahomes, Trent McDuffie excited about Chiefs’ new-look offense

Patrick Mahomes and Trent McDuffie both commented on the renaissance of the deep ball at practices during the #Chiefs’ OTAs.

During the 2024 offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs added speed to their offense, which was desperate for a dependable weapon to take the top off of opposing defenses.

By signing veteran Marquise Brown in free agency and selecting Xavier Worthy in the NFL draft, general manager Brett Veach seems to have solved Kansas City’s offensive woes, at least on paper.

During organized team activities this week, the unit has shown its confidence in the deep ball. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and cornerback Trent McDuffie both told reporters that the Chiefs’ offense is looking more explosive during their media availability sessions on Wednesday.

“I think y’all saw today we tried to throw a few more deep passes, get back to the deep game,” Mahomes explained. “I think we’ve done a great job of mastering the intermediate and short stuff, but we want to get back to having that part of the offense as well. [Head] Coach [Andy Reid] is really pushing us to push it down the field – it’s hard to do against our defense but we’re trying to make it happen.”

McDuffie echoed these comments, emphasizing how often Mahomes is looking to take shots down the field.

“Man, [the offense] is rolling,” Mcduffie said. “Y’all saw today, Pat [Mahomes] is just back there throwing it deep play after play.”

Kansas City’s offense was tough to watch and lifeless at times last season, and there were instances when it seemed that Mahomes lacked confidence in some of his counterparts.

Mahomes and the rest of the offense are focused on flipping that narrative this season, which has been evident through the first few days of practice.

Trent McDuffie on chemistry building among Chiefs’ DBs: ‘We can just play fast’

Trent McDuffie told reporters that the #Chiefs’ defensive backs are already in rhythm at OTAs.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ front office and coaching staff have assembled one of the best defensive-back groups in the league.

For the most part, it has been late-round draft picks that have developed into formidable cornerbacks for Kansas City. In the 2021 draft, Brett Veach identified Trent McDuffie as a lockdown corner, and elected to trade up to the 21st pick to take the Washington product.

McDuffie has stepped in and been an every-down player for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and this Chiefs’ defense.

While speaking with the media on Wednesday, the 23-year-old cornerback explained how the defensive backs have picked up where they left off when they last played together.

“I feel like yesterday there was this one play where we kind of messed it up and then me and [Justin Reid] just played off each other and I was like ‘Man, it feels good’,” McDuffie told reporters. “Three years into this and everybody knows what they are doing — you don’t have to be out there worrying about who is doing what. We can just play fast, and I feel like going into this new season I think that’s huge where we are starting off.”

Because McDuffie has proved he can be depended on each and every play, the Chiefs could afford to ship off L’Jarius Sneed in a trade to the Titans earlier this offseason.

The former Washington defensive back will be the top cornerback on this defense and will be relied upon to shut down opposing team’s number-one options.

WATCH: Chiefs arrive to OTAs for offseason workouts

Check out these videos of #Chiefs players arriving for Kansas City’s practices at OTAs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off their offseason workouts this week as organized team activities get underway at the team’s facilities in Western Missouri.

Chiefs players were seen making their entrance to the training program on Tuesday, walking to the locker room in their workout gear looking ready to get back on the field.

Offseason practices are a crucial part of every team’s training regimen and will be of particular import for Kansas City as the first get-together for Chiefs players after their victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Check out these videos of Kansas City’s biggest stars walking from the parking lot to the locker room:

While players will not don pads for the offseason workouts, the practices will be a great opportunity for the defending champions to hone their craft and stay sharp ahead of the 2024 season, in which they hope to win a third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Travis Kelce expected to be joined by Chiefs teammates at ‘Kelce Jam’

#Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Medium Rare founders about Travis Kelce’s fun activities and teammates appearing at ‘Kelce Jam’

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s community festival, ‘Kelce Jam’, returns on Saturday, May 18th. The three-time Super Bowl champion will provide new ways to entertain fans after his viral moment with a replica Lombardi trophy last year.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Medium Rare founders Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman about Travis Kelce’s fun activities, surprises, and teammates appearing at ‘Kelce Jam’.

“That’s secret, and that’s the magic of ‘Kelce Jam’, you never know what’s going to happen,” Richman explained. “Last year, going into it, we had no clue he’d [Kelce] bring the Lombardi trophy and essentially do a beer luge and spike in some form.

“That’s the magic, [of] ‘Kelce Jam’. You don’t know what’s going to happen. I think we are all in store for a bunch of different surprises. Who knows, maybe some surprise guests, something Travis does, you never know, will happen.”

The event will include the best KC restaurants at UberEats Merchant Row, custom cocktails, and interactive brand activations by Uncrustable, Wingstop, Lee Jeans, Rogaine, and more. Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie will also attend a special meet-and-greet with Uber One members.

“I will tell you that there are a couple of fun moments in particular that we’re planning,” said Silberzweig. “Beyond Lil Wayne, Diplo, and Two Chainz, Travis is going to have a big main stage moment when he’s introduced to the crowd and says a few words.

“Then, almost like an interactive festival or variety show, Travis will leave some fun things on stage before Two Chainz comes. He’ll be doing and leading a Wingstop chicken wing challenge where we will have some Chiefs players competing, and Travis will be judging. So that’ll be super fun.”

The multiple-time Pro Bowler has never disappointed in providing memorable moments for fans, and this year’s festival is shaping up to be another unforgettable night in Kansas City.

“It’s not your typical Music Festival. I want to make these moments fun and engaging so they’ll participate,” said Silberzweig.” There will also be a drone show and a few random surprises. I think the magic is in some surprises.”

Check out their official websites for more information on Kelce Jam and Medium Rare.

Chiefs tease players, throwback to pictures of funny faces at NFL combine

The Kansas City #Chiefs showed fans the funniest faces made by their players during the 40 yard dash at past combines.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been extremely successful at identifying young talent in the draft in recent seasons.

From stars like L’Jarius Sneed, Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, and Rashee Rice, Kansas City seems to have a knack for finding the best players available.

The Chiefs have been eyeing the available pool of players in Indianapolis, Indiana this week as they get a feel for the 2024 draft class, but the team made sure fans on social media didn’t forget some of the top combine moments from years past.

In a post to Twitter, Kansas City recapped some of the funniest faces made by its players during workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium:

 

The goofy visages of the Chiefs’ players served as a way to tease the defending Super Bowl champions as the offseason gets into full swing and kept fans engaged in the hype building in Indianapolis as Kansas City prepares for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Four key situations for the Chiefs to manage in the 2024 offseason

The #Chiefs will have to negotiate these four key situations during the 2024 offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions for the first time in franchise history, and the first team since the 2003-04 New England Patriots to hoist Lombardi Trophies in consecutive seasons.

It is now time for the Chiefs to focus on free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft. Two of Kansas City’s top contributors, Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed, are set to hit the open market, and with just over $27 million in cap space available, it may prove to be difficult for the Chiefs to retain both of them.

Kansas City is in the midst of a dynasty, and the Chiefs haven’t been afraid to sacrifice key pieces to keep their championship window open.

With that in mind, take a look at the most important situations the Chiefs will have to address this offseason:

NFL fans roast former Dolphins GM over hypothetical Jaylen Waddle trade

Fans were ruthless about a suggested Jaylen Waddle trade.

While the 2023 NFL season just ended, we’ve already hit the first dead point during the offseason, as teams have mostly filled out their coaching staffs and free agency is still weeks away.

There may be some news that breaks before then, but this is prime speculation and suggestion season.

Former Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum kicked us off with a wild trade proposal that had Miami trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie.

Obviously, the two teams agreed on a trade for Tyreek Hill a couple of years back, so there are open lines of communication, but it’s hard to imagine a deal like this coming together.

In fact, some felt it was so outrageous that they took to social media to clown on Tannenbaum (mostly from the Chiefs side).

Trent McDuffie earned fourth-best PFF grade among CBs in 2023

#Chiefs star Trent McDuffie earned the fourth-best PFF grade among all cornerbacks in 2023.

Trent McDuffie’s rise to dominance was a welcome sign for Kansas City Chiefs fans in 2023, and his contributions are sure to be integral in his team’s effort to complete a Super Bowl three-peat next season.

While McDuffie’s outstanding play last year was a sight to behold, it can be difficult for fans to contextualize just how dominant he was, especially given that he didn’t manage to snag an interception during the Chiefs’ 2023 campaign.

Pro Football Focus player grades are handy for this application and serve as an easily digestible way for fans to wrap their heads around the performances of their favorite stars.

McDuffie earned an 85.8 PFF grade for his efforts last season, which ranked as the fourth-best mark of any player at the cornerback position.

Though he may not have graded out as the best cornerback in the NFL, his stellar play spoke for itself, and McDuffie seems primed to continue developing with the Chiefs next season as Kansas City chases its fourth ring of the Patrick Mahomes era.