The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a major move in the secondary, acquiring All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster trade. But the New York Giants were reportedly right in the middle of the negotiations — and nearly landed the star defender themselves.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kansas City agreed to send McDuffie to Los Angeles for multiple draft picks, including the No. 29 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The deal immediately reshapes the defensive backfield in Los Angeles while giving Kansas City valuable draft capital moving forward. It also reveals just how close New York came to being part of one of the league’s biggest offseason trades.
The Trade Came Down to Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants
Rams receive: 🏈CB Trent McDuffie
Chiefs receive: 🏈1st-round pick, No. 29 🏈5th 🏈6th 🏈2027- 3rd
The McDuffie sweepstakes reportedly came down to two teams: the Rams and the Giants.
According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Los Angeles ultimately outbid New York.
On X (formerly Twitter), McDowell wrote:
“The Trent McDuffie trade came down to the Rams and the Giants, I’m told. In the end, the Rams were the team willing to give up first-round PLUS.”
In addition to the No. 29 overall pick, Kansas City is reportedly receiving a 2026 fifth- and sixth-round selection along with a 2027 third-rounder.
The Chiefs had previously exercised the fifth-year option on McDuffie’s rookie contract, guaranteeing his $13.6 million salary for the 2026 season. With the trade now complete, the Rams are widely expected to pursue a long-term extension for the 24-year-old cornerback.
In the end, the Giants’ offer to the Chiefs apparently wasn’t tempting enough. In the 2026 Draft, set for April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, New York holds the No. 5 overall pick. It looks like the Giants are planning to keep it.
New York Giants Didn’t Want to Give Up on Their 2026 First-Rounder
While New York was heavily involved in negotiations, the team ultimately chose not to part with its most valuable asset. The decision signals that the Giants are prioritizing long-term roster building rather than sacrificing premium draft capital for a single star acquisition.
Meanwhile, the Rams once again leaned into their aggressive team-building philosophy. As ESPN’s Field Yates has noted, Los Angeles has used its own first-round pick only once since 2017, frequently trading premium selections to acquire established talent. That willingness to deal proved decisive in the McDuffie negotiations.
Even without making the deal, New York’s presence shaped the market, showing that other teams had to pay top dollar to land McDuffie.
The trade isn’t just shaking up New York — it’s sending shockwaves across the league. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes reacted on X, simply posting “damn” after the deal became public.
The reaction says it all: this is a move that’s turning heads from coast to coast.
For the past three seasons, Trent McDuffie had been Kansas City’s second-best defender behind pass rusher Chris Jones. Whether in the nickel or on the perimeter, McDuffie excelled in coverage and posed a threat as a part-time blitzer.
Last season, he recorded one interception, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one sack.
This cemented his reputation as a versatile, playmaking corner.
The New York Giants didn’t trade for Trent McDuffie, but their involvement reshaped the deal. This proves the Giants still control decisions on elite talent.
New York Giants Played Major Role in Chiefs’ Trent McDuffie Trade News