Almost every NFL team wants to have the highest-paid position to be on their roster. But, they give a player such kind of money only when he has the potential to be worth that much money. Simple logic, right? Well, this logic is something that many fans, particularly Chiefs fans, always overlook. There is always a lot of backlash against Kansas City about overpaying players. Some fans even argue that they only pay players for the buzz. And interestingly, to answer the fans, one of the former Chiefs players has come forward. And he’s not looking happy.
This player is none other than the former four-time All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz. While the NFL veteran left the gridiron in 2022, it appears his affection for his previous squad has not faded. You know what they say, ‘Once a Chief, always a Chief’. As a result, Schwartz recently spoke out to emphasize how well the Chiefs’ administration is doing. He even claims that they are so good that they can sign Trent McDuffie for a longer contract if they want.
And why would they do it for the buzz? After all, you are talking about the same team’s management that did not have any major cap issues. Despite the fact that they have such a huge star, Patrick Mahomes, in their corner.
Majorly, the buzz surrounding is how the Chiefs would make Trent McDuffie the highest-paid DE. Obviously overpaying him in the process. But Schwartz thinks that the team will not make McDuffie the highest-paid DE, but rather give him the value he deserves.
Mitchell Schwartz shared his take on X, “And they’ll have saved over $40m by then. I don’t get why so many Chiefs fans are up in arms about this. You think the team wants to spend more money on a guy by waiting? Both sides have to agree to a deal… For a team that’s managed the cap, draft, and on-field performance as good as anyone since Pat’s deal I’m not sure why there’s so much negativity over someone else signing.”
And they’ll have saved over $40m by then. I don’t get why so many Chiefs fans are up in arms about this. You think the team wants to spend more money on a guy by waiting? Both sides have to agree to a deal. And if you don’t he continues playing for a relative pittance on his… https://t.co/iwPJp6OoHl
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) March 17, 2025
Schwartz’s comments on this matter were incredibly crucial for the Chiefs. As the team cannot defend themselves at this position and when an outsider makes such comments, they are truly taken seriously. Even if the outsider is a former player of the same team. Talking back about McDuffie, everyone knows that he will undoubtedly receive a large contract after two years. The CB was selected by the team in the 2022 NFL Draft and was offered a four-year, fully guaranteed deal for $13,992,484. This contract was only the beginning of Trent’s massive waves.
The rising star’s game propelled him to the top tier of CBs almost immediately. And he is currently likely to receive a contract worth $90 million to $100 million once his rookie deal expires. However, the CB’s value may increase after the recent changes in the CB market.
Can the Chiefs possibly boost Trent McDuffie’s future contract?
But why would Kansas City give the CB more money? Well, the market value of CBs and defensive players in general has skyrocketed. The reason? Houston Texans and Derek Stingley Jr. Everyone knows that the team has signed their All-Pro cornerback for a remarkable $90 million extension, with $89 million guaranteed. These are truly insane numbers, making Stingley the highest-paid NFL CB in history with a salary of $30 million per year.
From then, speculation grew that if a star like Derek Stingley Jr. could secure such a large contract extension, Trent McDuffie could as well. The 24-year-old is equally capable of such a large pay, and the Chiefs can push him for even more just to make history. Now you know how McDuffie getting $40 million per year rumor started in the first place. For now, even if the team continues on this road after two years, they will need to plan their cap from now on.
After all, they only have two years to make a well-managed contract. Something they’ve already done with Patrick Mahomes. In 2020, the team gave the QB a hefty 10-year contract worth up to $503 million. This contract was the most valuable in the league’s history at the time. And before giving it out just like that, they properly planned the entire thing. As a result, they have never faced a difficult situation just because of this contract.
The restructuring feature of a contract is something that should always be included in large contracts. If the team can make modifications during the contract’s validity period, it will be extremely helpful for them to manage cap space. KC must remember these things before making an offer to Trent McDuffie. For now, it’s pretty dicey what the young CB can get from the franchise.
The post Patrick Mahomes’ Ex-Teammate Responds to ‘Chiefs Fans Up in Arms’ Over $40M Splurge on Defender appeared first on EssentiallySports.
