Rams' blockbuster Trent McDuffie trade spells trouble for key free agent

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead did it again. He put his renowned "f--- them picks" mantra to the test once more, this time for star cornerback Trent McDuffie.

The Rams gave up a considerable haul of draft capital to acquire McDuffie, a Westminster, California, native, from the Kansas City Chiefs. It's a massive move with significant ramifications for both clubs, especially for Los Angeles.

McDuffie is entering the final season of his rookie contract after the Chiefs exercised his $13.632 million fifth-year option this past April. The onus is now on the Rams to pay him, but he has the leverage. This certainly complicates matters for Los Angeles' top free agent, safety Kamren Curl.

Rams' Kamren Curl is as good after massive Trent McDuffie trade

Curl has been a revelation since joining the Rams in March 2024. The Arkansas product has outkicked his $4.5 million annual value in spades, emerging as a true linchpin of their defense. However, he's set to become an unrestricted free agent in the coming days, and McDuffie's arrival hurts his chances of staying in L.A.

It's bad enough that the Rams are in talks about reworking reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford's deal (again). Suddenly, they bring in a two-time All-Pro who doesn't turn 26 until September and has a chance to reset the market at his position. Put two and two together, and it's difficult to see where Curl fits into the picture.

This marks Curl's, a 2020 seventh-round selection, first true opportunity to cash in. So, the Rams shouldn't expect any hometown discounts — even if he's from San Diego. With that in mind, his projected $10 million yearly salary figures to be too rich for Snead and Co.'s blood.

As the saying goes, for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. Adding a player of McDuffie's caliber and presumed income bracket figures creates a trickle-down effect that figures to come at others' expense. Unfortunately, Curl, who proved to be an excellent fit in defensive coordinator Chris Shula's scheme, headlines the list of potential Rams casualties.  

Finding a way to retain Curl ought to be a priority for the Rams, though doing so just got much harder. His efforts were critical to them coming up only one win shy of a trip to Super Bowl LX. He amassed 122 tackles, five pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, and a forced fumble across 17 games (excluding playoffs).