Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie.
Joe is hesitant to type about 2026 because we’re still in 2025 and the Bucs are in the thick of a playoff hunt.
But given the source for this connect-the-dots speculation, Joe believes it has credibility.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN typed an interesting item about Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who is looking for a contract extension. A first-round pick in 2021 out of Washington, the four-year starter wants to be paid.
Fowler is one of the most plugged-in NFL reporters and he doesn’t push baloney. For example: two years ago he reported the Bucs were looking to trade either Carlton Davis or Jamel Dean but not both. Days later, the Bucs traded Davis to Detroit and a year later the Bucs ordered Dean to redo his contract — or else.
And to add to the following intrigue, Joe saw Fowler at the Bucs’ game Thursday, prowling the bowels of The Licht House.
Back to McDuffie. Fowler thinks McDuffie may just be on the trade block this offseason and it would be a solid move for McDuffie to trade in Chiefs red for Bucs red.
Another name on my radar is Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie. The last Kansas City corner eyeing a big extension, L’Jarius Sneed, was shipped to Tennessee for a draft pick. McDuffie would have value, and Tampa Bay would be a perfect spot for him.
So why would the Bucs be the “perfect spot?” Joe’s not sure.
Didn’t the Bucs just drop a bag of Team Glazer loot into Zyon McCollum’s lap? Didn’t the Bucs just draft two corners on Day 2 of the draft last April? Isn’t Dean having his best season?
Or are the Bucs uncomfortable handing Benjamin Morrison a starting gig? Or are the Bucs going to let Dean walk out the door in February? Or might McCollum be waved goodbye? Or do the Bucs want to keep Jacob Parrish at slot corner?
Joe thought the Bucs were set at corner for 2026. Apparently not.
With all the smoke coming from One Buc Palace about attitude of some players, and given the awful play of the defense, personnel changes are coming. But Joe isn’t expecting it to be anything major at corner.