Chiefs exercise 5th-year options on cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass rusher George Karlaftis

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs exercised their fifth-year options Tuesday on cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass rusher George Karlaftis, two of the young pillars of a defense that has helped them to reach three consecutive Super Bowls.

The deadline to pick up the option year is Thursday.

The 24-year-old McDuffie, who was the 21st overall pick in 2022, has started all 43 games that he has played over the past three seasons. McDuffie was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and a second-team All-Pro this past season, when he picked off the first two passes of his career and had a career-best 13 pass deflections while also forcing a fumble.

Karlaftis, who is also 24, was the 30th overall pick in the same draft, and has developed into one of the NFL's top-tier defensive ends. He had six sacks as a rookie, 10 1/2 sacks the following year and eight last season.

The Chiefs' draft three years ago is certain to go down as one of the best in club history.

Second-round pick Bryan Cook started every game at safety last season. Third-round pick Leo Chenal has started 32 games at linebacker over his first three seasons. Fourth-round pick Josh Williams has appeared in 50 games, and seventh-round selections Jaylen Watson, Isiah Pacheco and Nazeeh Johnson have started games or been role players.

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