All the riches are staying in the kingdom, but the knights are going hungry? Well, that’s the case of the NFL’s contract situation nowadays. Andy Reid’s star cornerback isn’t left behind! The Kansas City Chiefs are on their offensive building process, extending the players who deserve it. However, a key member of their defense might not be getting what he deserves. Whether he was shadowing elite receivers or blitzing from the slot, the defensive ace made it look effortless. Two straight All-Pro seasons. One of the highest-graded corners in the league. A cornerstone of Steve Spagnuolo’s suffocating defense. You’d think that kind of résumé would guarantee a hefty payday, right?

Well, not exactly. When the NFL set the price for his fifth-year option, he didn’t see the $20.1 million figure he should have gotten. Or even the $17.6 million that felt like a fair middle ground. Instead, he landed at $13.6 million—because despite being one of the best in the game, he’s never made a Pro Bowl. Now, fans aren’t just questioning the system. They’re flat-out calling it broken.

We all know that Trent McDuffie is already one of the best players in the NFL. That’s the reason he is ranked no. 16 by Pro Football Focus, as part of this year’s “PFF 101” players. In 2024, McDuffie finally got his first two career interceptions and didn’t stop there. He played at an elite level all season, proving his versatility for the Chiefs. His 82.0 overall grade ranked third among all cornerbacks, even as he shifted from the slot to playing more outside. But what really set him apart?

Trent McDuffie was the only corner in the league to earn 75.0-plus grades in run defense, pass rushing, and coverage. A true all-around force on the field, isn’t he? But still, this Andy Reid player won’t be getting what he deserves in terms of salary. According to Michael Ginnitti, co-founder of Spotrac, “#Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie was an All-Pro in 2023 & 2024. However, he’s never been selected to a Pro Bowl, which means his 5th-Year option for 2026 comes in at $13.6M.”

As a refresher, when a team drafts a player in the first round, they get five years of control—four on the rookie deal and a fifth-year option if they choose to activate it early. For Andy Reid’s Kansas City, that time has come. Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, both taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, are up for their fifth-year options. So, on Friday, the league set the price: $13.6 million for McDuffie, $15.2 million for Karlaftis.

Just $13.6 million instead of a potential $20.1 million? And you know the difference maker? It could have been: 1 Pro Bowl appearance: $17.6M; 2 Pro Bowl appearances: $20.1M. That’s ridiculous! Karlaftis has never been to the Pro Bowl nor has he made it to the All-Pro. On the other hand, Trent McDuffie has been selected for 2 All-Pros. But because he wasn’t selected for the Pro Bowl, his contract dipped. At a time when people are questioning the relevance of the Pro Bowl, this ironic outcome has fans riled up.

As a result of the decision, the Chiefs are saving millions. But as a negative consequence, fans are upset with the situation and the process.

NFL fans questioned the league after Andy Reid’s CB contract issue

Andy Reid and the Chiefs have until May 1 to decide on their fifth-year option players. Until then, the NFL has given a sense of relief to the team by reducing the amount of Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis. However, this didn’t go down well with the football admirers. For instance, one mentioned, “You know, it’s all fun and games when Donkey McDonkers egregiously gets selected to the Pro Bowl, but when players’ money is being affected, it’s no longer funny. If you earn All-Pro honors and you’re not triggering the bonus, the system is broken.”

Like this fan, many questioned the system by saying, “I have to think the players could not comprehend a scenario where you could be an All-Pro without being a Pro Bowler, yet here we are. That oversight cost McDuffie $7 million, and gave the Chiefs even GREATER leverage in contract extension negotiations than they already had.” The news might be true! As per the NFLPA, the Chiefs currently have $3.186 million in room as their salary cap. Now, saving $7 million more from a potential McDuffie payout would help them gain extra leverage.

Besides these food for thought questions, others also chimed in showing their frustration with the Pro Bowls. One said, “Pro Bowl is overrated. It should go back to the old format or go away.” The Pro Bowls were originally an all-star game, with skill set challenges in AFC vs. NFC format. But now it has become more of a fantasy football format. Hence, people aren’t happy with the Pro Bowl intervention in the players’ contracts. That’s why someone added, “Just moronic that pro bowl means more than all pro,” and another commented, “It’s insane that pro bowls matter more than all pros in this case.”

Just like a fan pointed out, “They need to change those rules, pro bowls have even proven to be c— and popularity contests,” many think the same way. What are your thoughts?