Sources - Chiefs top CB McDuffie to start season without deal - ESPN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs and Trent McDuffie, the team's top cornerback, are not expected to agree to a multiyear contract extension before Kansas City's season starts, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

During the past six weeks, the Chiefs have had several conversations in an attempt to negotiate an extension with McDuffie, a two-time All-Pro who will begin his fourth NFL season on Friday in Sao Paulo, where the Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers. McDuffie, 24, is the Chiefs' second-best defender behind pass rusher Chris Jones.

Prior to the Chiefs' practice Sunday, McDuffie acknowledged he expects to perform this season in the fourth year of his rookie contract. He is set to earn a base salary of $2,613,066.

«Moving forward now, really, it's just about the season and about [Friday's] game,» McDuffie said. «I'm not too worried about the contract. That can just happen in the [next] offseason. Let's just go out there and have a great year.»

McDuffie is coming off the best campaign of his career. He recorded two interceptions and 13 pass breakups, both career highs, along with 59 tackles, four quarterback hits and one forced fumble.

Known for his coverage skills and durability, McDuffie played 996 defensive snaps. McDuffie was lined up fewer than 3 yards from an opposing receiver on a league-leading 63.5% of his snaps last season; that much press-man coverage was the second-highest rate by any defender with at least 250 snaps on the perimeter across the past seven seasons, according to Next Gen Stats.

«We definitely have had dialogue,» Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said last week. «He's a guy that's obviously a special player. We're going to continue that dialogue, and hopefully something gets worked out. I think