Jaylen Watson, Rams Reportedly Agree to Free-Agent Contract After Trent McDuffie Trade With Chiefs

After being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams last week, cornerback Trent McDuffie will see a familiar face when he arrives to Hollywood.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Rams are signing former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year, $51 million contract with $34 million guaranteed.

A seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Watson developed into a starting cornerback for the Chiefs before his rookie deal came to an end. He started all 15 of his appearances in 2025 and put up the best numbers of his career with 64 total tackles, six passes defended, two interceptions and two sacks. Per ESPN, he surrendered just one touchdown in coverage as the nearest defender for the entire season.

The Rams sent the Chiefs a package of draft picks, including the No. 29 selection in the 2026 NFL draft, to land McDuffie, who was then signed to a four-year, $124 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed and made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

Los Angeles quickly addressed one of its biggest offseason needs by securing McDuffie and Watson. The team had four cornerbacks set to become free agents, and seven-year veteran cornerback Darious Williams also announced his retirement on Saturday.

The Rams can now focus on addressing other areas of need, such as adding more firepower around 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford, as the team prepares to chase another Super Bowl title in 2026.