The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense turned a corner in 2023, and cornerback Trent McDuffie played a huge part in the unit’s resurgence. The second-year defender was a nightmare for opposing receivers in coverage, but another aspect of his game helped lead Kansas City’s identity change in a more subtle way.
According to the Chiefs’ official Twitter account, McDuffie led all cornerbacks in the NFL in quarterback pressures during the regular season.
.@trent_mcduffie led ALL corners in pressures this season 🦉 pic.twitter.com/wIYo297xkZ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 8, 2024
While most defensive backs don’t make their money as blitzes, McDuffie broke the mold in Kansas City’s 11-win campaign, tallying three sacks in addition to his many pressures.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo made an effort to get creative this season, and McDuffie’s involvement in the pass rush paid dividends for a unit that desperately needed to be revitalized.
Fans should expect McDuffie’s prowess as a blitzer to be leveraged in the Chiefs’ game plan for the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
