Trent McDuffie explains impressive rookie progress for KC Chiefs

During the first day of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs came into the opening round with two first-round selections, and while there was some maneuvering, general manager Brett Veach was still able to make two picks on the day. A few months later, both players are cemented in the team’s starting defense.

The Chiefs selected Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie at No. 21 overall after moving up from No. 29 to get him in a deal with the New England Patriots. Meanwhile, back at No. 30, the Chiefs added former Purdue pass rusher George Karlaftis. On Saturday, in the team’s preseason win over the Washington Commanders, both players continued to show what they can do with solid performances as entrenched starters preparing for the first week of the regular season.

McDuffie is part of a massive secondary overhaul this offseason, one that featured five rookie draft selections and a major signing in free agency of safety Justin Reid (along with other moves). The end result was the exodus of familiar faces and productive veterans like Tyrann Mathieu and Charvarius Ward and the import of younger, faster players to slide in alongside Juan Thornhill and L’Jarius Sneed.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie explained to reporters why he’s already able to play well as a rookie in the preseason.

So far, the Chiefs must love what they’re seeing from the rookie corners because they have cut two of the more seasoned competitors in training camp. Deandre Baker was released early in training camp and Lonnie Johnson was a part of the first round of five cuts due last Tuesday to get down to an 85-man roster. Both cuts were a bit surprising, at least for the timing, but it was a signal that the Chiefs felt good about the first-year players and didn’t need a safety net of experience around them.

McDuffie explained to reporters on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium that the secondary was coming together quite well and that he expects to be “already rolling” when the team visits the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 on the road to open the new year.

“I definitely think we’re coming together, especially now that training camp is over and those long days of grueling practices are kind of out of the way,” said McDuffie. “You come together now and start watching film together and start coming together as a group and learn the lingo and communicate so that when the first game comes, it’s like we’re already rolling.”

Specifically, McDuffie points to the extra work put in and the camaraderie enjoyed by the rookie class as part of his ability to already play instinctually on the field at times at a point where many first-year players admit they’re still trying to sort of the mental assignments and demands of playing at the pro level. When asked about playing loose, McDuffie said he and others are already getting there.

“Honestly, I think we’re starting to get there right now. I think we did a good job at just the installs, especially for the rookie class. We really stuck together and continued to quiz each other and figure out this playbook so we can go out there and play fast. At the end of the day, once the game comes on, there should be no more thinking. So I feel like we’ve come a long way since OTAs and learning the playbook.”