Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie celebrates an interception during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Dec. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo courtesy of Associated Press)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs exercised their fifth-year options Tuesday on cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass rusher George Karlaftis, two of the young pillars of a defense that has helped them to reach three consecutive Super Bowls.
The deadline to pick up the option year is Thursday.
The 24-year-old McDuffie, who was the 21st overall pick in 2022, has started all 43 games that he has played over the past three seasons. McDuffie was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and a second-team All-Pro this past season, when he picked off the first two passes of his career and had a career-best 13 pass deflections while also forcing a fumble.
Karlaftis, who is also 24, was the 30th overall pick in the same draft, and has developed into one of the NFL’s top-tier defensive ends. He had six sacks as a rookie, 10 1/2 sacks the following year and eight last season.
The Chiefs’ draft three years ago is certain to go down as one of the best in club history.
Second-round pick Bryan Cook started every game at safety last season. Third-round pick Leo Chenal has started 32 games at linebacker over his first three seasons. Fourth-round pick Josh Williams has appeared in 50 games, and seventh-round selections Jaylen Watson, Isiah Pacheco and Nazeeh Johnson have started games or been role players.
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