Will Chiefs' Brett Veach exercise fifth-year options on McDuffie, Karlaftis?
Chiefs likely to make decision after the 2025 NFL Draft
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a decision to make on cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end George Karlaftis.
The two players were first-round picks in 2022 and enter the final year of their respective four-year rookie contracts.
The Chiefs, however, can exercise a fifth-year option on both players by May 1, which is a league-wide deadline.
While the Chiefs’ focus is on the upcoming draft, Veach made it clear the quality depth at defensive end and cornerback in this year’s draft class wouldn’t play a role in his decision-making process on McDuffie and Karlaftis.
“I don’t think it will affect it at all,” Veach said Thursday during a Zoom teleconference. “I think those are players that you want in Kansas City for a long time.”
McDuffie and Karlaftis have done their part to prove they belong in the Chiefs’ future plans, of course.
McDuffie, the 21st overall pick in the 2022 draft, is widely regarded as one of the league’s top cornerbacks, garnering first-team All-Pro honors in 2023. He followed up with a second-team All-Pro selection in 2024.
Karlaftis, the 30th overall pick in the 2022 draft, has notched 24.5 total sacks and 56 quarterback hits over the past three regular seasons. He also proved highly productive in three postseasons, garnering eight sacks and 16 quarterback hits during the playoffs.
McDuffie and Karlaftis are key contributors on one of the NFL’s top defensive units, and Veach pointed out discussions are likely to occur at the conclusion of next week’s NFL draft, which is set for April 24-26.
“We’re going to have dialogue with them,” Veach said.