LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie via trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and signed him to a four-year contract extension. The team also signed cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year deal as part of a broader defensive overhaul.

McDuffie, a two-time All-Pro selection and two-time Super Bowl champion, joins the Rams after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round in 2022 out of the University of Washington. In exchange for McDuffie, the Rams sent Kansas City their 2026 first-round pick (No. 29 overall), a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2026 sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.

McDuffie’s new four-year contract extension is worth $124 million, averaging $31 million per year—the highest annual value ever for an NFL cornerback. He started all 13 regular season games he played in during the 2025 season before suffering a knee injury in Week 14. That year, he recorded 63 total tackles, one interception, seven passes defensed, one sack, and one forced fumble.

Watson, who started all 15 regular season games he played in during the 2025 season, recorded 64 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and two sacks. His three-year contract includes $34 million in guarantees and follows immediately after McDuffie’s arrival.

The Rams’ defense ranked 17th overall and 10th in scoring in 2025. Wide receiver Davante Adams, who is in the final year of his two-year, $44 million contract with the team, expressed optimism about the defensive upgrades. "I'll say that I didn't know that until I saw him this year and got to be with him his offseason.

He's a very, very, very good corner," Adams said regarding McDuffie. He added, "I always knew that he was really good, but sometimes you got to see a guy in person and see how they operate daily. The swagger, the juice, the ability, his feet, everything, mindset. And then we got Jaylen as well. So, I mean, we got a really good situation."