The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2024 NFL season with question marks surrounding their secondary, especially following the offseason departure of veteran Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. However, third-year players Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have stepped up in a big way, quickly solidifying themselves as foundational pieces on a defense that has kept the Kansas City Chiefs undefeated.
Both McDuffie and Watson have faced challenges through the first five weeks, but continue to thrive under the pressure. McDuffie has consistently locked down opponents’ top receivers, while Watson has also made his share of critical plays at key moments. Together, they have helped transform the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary into one of the strongest in the league. Their ability to perform in high-stakes situations has provided Kansas City with the defensive reliability it sorely needed.
McDuffie’s Steady Growth
Trent McDuffie entered the season with high expectations, and he wasted no time proving his worth in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Though he had a rocky start, McDuffie quickly adjusted, making a game-changing fourth down tackle late in the contest. He only allowed 22 yards on three targets, and his ability to shut down Wide Receiver Zay Flowers was instrumental in securing the win.
McDuffie’s consistency continued in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he held superstar Wideout Ja’Marr Chase to just one catch for four yards on 17 routes. Even when the Bengals tested him, McDuffie remained poised and disciplined. His high football IQ and physicality have made him a critical piece of Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
As the season progressed, McDuffie further solidified his reputation as one of the top young cornerbacks in the league. In the Chiefs’ first five games, he played every defensive snap, contributing both in coverage and as a reliable tackler. McDuffie’s ability to step up in key moments has turned him into one of the defensive leaders on this team and one of the most trusted players in Kansas City’s secondary.
Watson’s Unexpected Emergence
While McDuffie’s rise has been steady, Jaylen Watson’s journey has been more unexpected. Entering training camp with concerns over a shoulder injury, Watson had limited preparation heading into Week 1. Despite these hurdles, he stepped in as the starter opposite McDuffie and made an immediate impact, recording 11 tackles and a late-game pass breakup against the Ravens.
Watson’s tackling ability and discipline in coverage have been tight-knit. In his first four games, he allowed just 35 receiving yards and consistently neutralized top receivers, including Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and even Zay Flowers. Watson also swatted away a deep pass, helping to keep Baltimore’s offense in check in Week 1.
Although Watson struggled at times in Week 2, including giving up a 47-yard pass, he quickly bounced back. His Week 3 performance against the Atlanta Falcons showed his resilience, as he played nearly every snap without any falloff in coverage. Watson’s ability to rebound from mistakes and his physical style of play make him vital to Spagnuolo’s defensive schemes.
Impact On the Kansas City Chiefs Defense
As McDuffie and Watson have grown, so has the Chiefs’ defense. Their ability to perform in man-to-man coverage allows Spagnuolo to unleash creative blitz packages, confident that his corners can hold up on the outside. This newfound versatility has been critical in Kansas City’s dominant start to the season.
Watson’s pass breakups, combined with McDuffie’s lockdown ability, have limited opposing quarterbacks’ options, forcing rushed throws and poor decisions. In the Chiefs’ win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Watson did not allow a single catch on five targets, earning the highest coverage rating according to PFF in the game. McDuffie continued to shine as well, contributing six tackles (three solo), including a tackle for a loss and a pass defensed, ultimately helping hold the Chargers to 224 yards of total offense—77 yards below their season average.
Through the first five games, the duo has combined for multiple key defensive stops, late-game passes defended, and consistently posted high coverage grades. Watson’s ability to break up passes and generate production, along with McDuffie’s reliability in shutting down top receivers, has turned them into one of the most formidable cornerback tandems in the NFL. They’ve arguably established themselves as the best one-two cornerback duo in the league, creating major problems for opposing offenses this season.
Final Thoughts
Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have rapidly become key pieces of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive success in 2024. Their complementary skills—McDuffie’s technical precision and Watson’s physicality—have helped the Kansas City Chiefs shut down some of the NFL’s best offenses. With each passing week, the two cornerbacks continue not only to improve but also raise their stock as future stars in the NFL defensive hierarchy.
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to decompress during their bye week, McDuffie and Watson’s ability to maintain their elite level of play will be paramount to the team’s success moving forward, especially with the offense still working through some challenges. Their growth and contributions have not only eased concerns about the secondary but have also allowed the Kansas City Chiefs to elevate their defensive schemes. This has made the Kansas City Chiefs one of the most complete teams in the league.
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