The Kansas City Chiefs were set to have many defensive backs possibly leave this offseason. But for two of them, a couple of defensive back partners will continue to be teammates. That will be taking place in Los Angeles and not K.C.
The Chiefs of course traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams last week. A transaction netting Kansas City four total draft picks. Los Angeles eventually gave McDuffie a top-of-the-market contract extension.
Now on the first day of the NFL's legal tampering window, another former Chief goes to the Rams. Jaylen Watson reportedly gets a three-year deal to head to the West Coast.
McDuffie and Watson each came in as part of the Chiefs' 2022 draft class. It was a group that rebuilt the defense and revamped the secondary. This past season was the only year in which McDuffie, Watson and that draft class did not reach the Super Bowl during their Kansas City tenure.
McDuffie was a player the Chiefs traded up for in the first round. Meanwhile, Watson became yet another diamond in the rough for Kansas City at defensive back. He lasted until the seventh round before becoming a trusted boundary defender.
2026 Chiefs-Rams tilt just got more exciting
Even though McDuffie and Watson will not be donning red and gold anymore, they will not totally escape the Chiefs' presence this upcoming season. Kansas City will take on the entire NFC West in 2026. Therefore, the Chiefs will get to battle with their former defensive back teammates.
Time will tell when Patrick Mahomes ultimately gets the full go. But during his injury recovery, he has been determined to get back for Week 1. Regardless of when he and the Chiefs face the Rams, McDuffie, and Watson, it is going to be one of the stiffest battles of the year.
The Rams have plenty of physicality up front. Los Angeles' secondary was truly the only real weakness that kept them from reaching the Super Bowl in 2025.
Mahomes understands what this duo brings to the table in terms of ball skills, instincts, and stickiness in coverage. Facing the Rams was already going to be one of the tougher matchups of the season. With McDuffie and Watson staying together in a new place, Los Angeles versus Kansas City grows into an even more thrilling game.