Kansas City Chiefs rookie CB Trent McDuffie is being deployed in a different way in recent weeks.
Over the past two weeks, McDuffie has played 83 of his snaps at the slot cornerback position. In the seven weeks he played prior, McDuffie played just 18 snaps in the slot. What’s behind the recent change? Some of it has to do with how they’ve utilized CB L’Jarius Sneed against bigger receivers like D.K. Metcalf and Courtland Sutton. Some of it also has to do with McDuffie having an increased level of comfort.
Speaking to reporters following the game, McDuffie spoke about the transition to playing more in the slot.
“I think that they have done a good job of just continuously throwing me in there throughout the season,” McDuffie said. “So, I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of practice at it. Now it’s in the game environment, getting game reps and just getting comfortable with it but I mean, outside (or) inside, I love it all so
whatever I can do to help the team out is what I’m going to do.”
McDuffie getting more work in the slot has allowed another side of his game to show. He was sent on a timely blitz in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos, notching his first career sack and a forced fumble that was recovered by fellow rookie George Karlaftis.
“They (the coaching staff) just put me in the position to go make plays, and it’s on me to go make them,” McDuffie said. “So, I mean hats off to (Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) Coach Spags for making a call to let me blitz because he knows I love to blitz. That’s all it was.”
The turnovers have been hard to come by for the Chiefs’ defense, who are tied for the fifth-fewest in the league (18) through 16 games. Whether it’s McDuffie or one of his teammates, he’s hopeful the turnovers will continue to flow with his new role.
“I think it’s huge no matter what,” McDuffie said. “Anybody to make a play — rather it’s the sack-fumble, rather it’s a strip, rather it’s a pick. Turnovers create a lot of energy for the defense. So, continuing to do that, I think will help us move forward.”
