Trent McDuffie Never Saw This Rams Roster Coming

Jul 29, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, general manager Les Snead and chief of staff Carter Crutchfield talk on the field during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Trent McDuffie Never Saw This Rams Roster Coming

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Parrish Jr. | Last updated Sep 1, 2026 4:47 PM ET

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When the Kansas City Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams in March, plenty awaited him: a top-of-market contract extension and a shot at another ring with a team favored to win it all.

The Rams brought McDuffie to Southern California as part of a needed secondary upgrade, along with former Chiefs teammate Jaylen Watson, even if it cost several draft picks, including a first-rounder, to make it happen.

Never did McDuffie think his career would include teaming up with two future Hall of Famers, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald, both new additions to the 2026 roster.

McDuffie Praises Rams Coaches and Front Office

“I probably would’ve said you’re lying, for real,” McDuffie said. “There’s no way you can get me. There’s no way you can get Myles. There’s no way you can get A.D. But, hey, hat off to (general manager) Les [Snead]. Hat off to (head coach) Sean [McVay]. Those guys are masterminds and they did it.”

The Garrett trade wasn’t as necessary, since the Rams already had a budding star in Jared Verse, about five years younger, whom they sent to Cleveland in the deal. Garrett is arguably the best player on the planet after breaking the single-season sack record en route to being named reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Still, swapping the two was a clear net gain, despite surrendering three more picks.

Add in Donald, who announced his return from retirement Sunday, and the Rams have added a player they didn’t need but are thrilled to have as they push toward a 2026 title run.

For McDuffie, it is a win-win. That much pressure on opposing quarterbacks should make the secondary’s job easier, since the ball will have to come out quickly, leaving receivers less time to develop their routes.

After missing the 2025 postseason, McDuffie finds himself in a new conference, under a lucrative contract extension, alongside new superstar teammates, with a chance to capture his third Super Bowl ring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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