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- Newly signed cornerback Trent McDuffie grew up in Southern California hoping he could play for Sean McVay and the Rams. Now, he’s at the forefront of their revamped secondary.
- Along with the signing of Jaylen Watson, the Rams made bolstering their pass coverage a priority in free agency.
- Former Rams cornerback Roger McCreary and wide receiver Tutu Atwell agreed to deals with the Lions and Dolphins, respectively.
1
Trent McDuffie was a young high school player in Southern California when the Rams returned from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016.
In 2020, McDuffie watched HBO’s “Hard Knocks” episodes about the team, and he was enamored by coach Sean McVay.
“I remember just being like, ‘Dang, I would like to play for that guy,’” McDuffie said Thursday.
McDuffie, an All-Pro cornerback acquired by the Rams in a blockbuster trade, recalled those thoughts during an introductory news conference at the team’s facility in Woodland Hills after he signed a record-breaking four-year extension that reportedly includes $100 million in guarantees.
All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, acquired by the Rams in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, agrees to a four-year contract worth $124 million
“Fast forward all these years, and now I’m here and it’s just a full-circle moment,” he said of getting to play for McVay. “Watched this guy, wanted to play for this guy and now this guy wants me.”
To land McDuffie, Rams general manager Les Snead sent the Kansas City Chiefs the 29th overall pick and fifth- and sixth-round picks in this year’s draft, and a 2027 third-round pick.
The Rams also signed former Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson to a three-year contract that includes $34 million in guarantees.
The moves were a complete departure from last year, when the Rams wrongly gambled that a young and aggressive pass rush could offset their decision to not make a single upgrade to the secondary.
The additions of McDuffie and Watson to an already deep and talented roster that features reigning NFL most valuable player Matthew Stafford, the Rams will be a favorite to play in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in February.
And make no mistake: Like they did in 2021, the Rams will do anything possible to ensure that owner Stan Kroenke is walking the Super Bowl sideline in the stadium he built in Inglewood.
McDuffie noted that the Rams have been “knocking on the door, year-in and year-out” since his rookie season with the Chiefs in 2022. A winning culture already is in place.
“This team is ready to go,” said McDuffie, a first-round pick out of Washington who starred in high school at Anaheim Servite and Bellflower St. John Bosco highs. “I don’t think I’m coming in here with a team that doesn’t understand the value that they have.
“So those little nuggets that I feel I can just pour into guys that can get us over the hump, I’m going to do everything I can.”
McDuffie and Watson, a 2022 seventh-round pick, were part of Chiefs teams that won two championships in three Super Bowl appearances.
“We really learned what it takes to win a Super Bowl, get to the Super Bowl, the preparation and the time it takes to be detailed in your craft,” McDuffie said.
When news about the trade broke last week, one of the first calls McDuffie answered was from Rams star receiver Puka Nacua, a former Washington teammate.
(William Liang / Associated Press)
“He was just screaming at the top of his lungs,” McDuffie said. “I’m like ‘Puka, bro, I miss this energy. I miss what you bring.’ I’m just excited to be back on the field with him.”
McDuffie and Watson also are excited about continuing their partnership, which began when they were among five defensive backs drafted by the Chiefs four years ago.
Watson, 27, grew up in Georgia but played two seasons at Ventura College before finishing his college career at Washington State.
Like McDuffie, he is happy to be back in Southern California weather.
“Everyone’s just so nice here,” Watson said of the region, before quipping, “then you’ve got your taxes.”
The 5-foot-11 McDuffie and the 6-2 Watson will give secondary coach Jimmy Lake — who coached McDuffie in college — options for matchups.
“That’s why I think me and Trent complement each other so well,” Watson said. “His strengths are short-area quickness, the small shifty guys. And my strengths are the big receivers.
Safety Kam Curl, one of the top performers in the Rams’ secondary, agrees to a three-year deal with the team that includes about $24 million in guarantees.
“So we should be pretty diverse. We should be able to match up pretty well against a lot of different looks we get.”
McDuffie and Watson join a cornerback group that includes Emmanuel Forbes Jr. The Rams have until May 1 to determine if they will exercise a fifth-year option on Forbes, a 2023 first-round draft pick by Washington who was claimed off waivers by the Rams in 2024.
Forbes will earn about $2 million this season, but would be guaranteed $12.6 million in 2027 if the Rams exercise the option.
The Rams will begin offseason workouts in April.
McDuffie is happy to be back home.
“It’s hot, the sun’s out,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
2
Rams sign Grant Stuard to two-year deal
(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)
The Rams continued their attempt to upgrade special teams, signing inside linebacker Grant Stuard to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday.
Stuard, 27, made 19 tackles last season for the Detroit Lions. The 2021 seventh-round draft pick began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played three seasons for the Indianapolis Colts. He has started five of the 83 games he has played.
Stuard joins an inside linebacker corps that includes Nate Landman, Omar Speights and Shaun Dolac. He will be part of special teams units under new coordinator Bubba Ventrone. The Rams signed long snapper Joe Cardona last week. Harrison Mevis is the kicker, Ethan Evans the punter and holder.
3
Roger McCreary agrees to deal with Lions
(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Another former Rams cornerback is moving on.
A day after Cobie Durant signed with the Dallas Cowboys, Roger McCreary agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract Friday, ESPN reported.
McCreary, a 2022 second-round pick by the Tennessee Titans, was acquired by the Rams in a 2025 midseason trade.
McCreary played in six games. He has three career interceptions.
4
Tutu Atwell heading to Miami
Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell celebrates in the end zone after catching an 88-yard touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 28.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Former Rams receiver Tutu Atwell found a new NFL home close to his Florida home.
The Miami Dolphins are signing the five-year veteran to a one-year contract, according to multiple reports.
Atwell, the Rams’ second-round draft pick in 2021, played last season on a one-year, $10-million contract. But in an offense that included Nacua and Davante Adams, the speedy wideout caught only six passes, including a game-winning 88-yard touchdown pass against the Indianapolis Colts.
With the Dolphins, Atwell will be teamed with new quarterback Malik Willis, who signed as a free agent after playing the last two seasons for the Green Bay Packers.
The Rams have the 13th pick in the draft, and are certain to be in the market for a receiver.
For the record:
6:34 p.m. March 12, 2026An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Trent McDuffie watched Sean McVay on “Hard Knocks” in 2016. He watched McVay on “Hard Knocks” in 2020.
