Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trent McDuffie has revealed how he learned about his trade from the Kansas City Chiefs through Apple Watch notifications while training. The 25-year-old was in the middle of a workout back in March when alerts began popping up on his watch, prompting him to change his settings to do not disturb to finish his session.
Before McDuffie finished training, his mother and fiancee walked in. "Why are y'all here?" McDuffie recalled asking during an appearance on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, after learning the news of his move to Los Angeles had leaked before his agent could tell him.
"The world stopped for a second," McDuffie said. "I was like: 'Let me get my bearings. What just happened?'"
Frustration over Chiefs communication
McDuffie was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft by Kansas City and spent four seasons with the Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls under head coach Andy Reid. Over four seasons in Kansas City, he established himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL and expected to agree to a contract extension.
Instead, the cornerback left without speaking directly to the team, leaving him frustrated by the lack of communication. "A little part of me was just like: 'Damn, bro, what's up with that?'" McDuffie said. "You didn't let me know anything."
"I didn't have any conversation about nothing," McDuffie added. "It was just like: 'Bye' pretty much."
Fresh start in Los Angeles
His mood changed when he discovered he was headed to Los Angeles, near where he grew up. "Oh, I made it," thought McDuffie, who decided to move on as fast as possible rather than holding on to the past.
"Honestly, this team [The Rams] is so fun... you can just tell there's this attention to wanting to get better," McDuffie said. Kansas City received four draft picks in the deal, while McDuffie signed a four-year, $124million deal with the Rams, who are tipped to win next year's Super Bowl on home soil.
"I feel like I got that spirit back, that swagger back," McDuffie said. "I'm in LA, I'm with guys who make this fun. I can't wait for the season."
