Over the past two weeks, there has been much chatter regarding a potential tag-and-trade of Kansas City Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed. Here we are on the third day of the new league year and Sneed remains on the franchise tag in Kansas City.
Several teams have been revealed as potential suitors, but to this point, the Chiefs have been unable to trade him. What’s holding things up exactly? All the teams are willing to tango, but a long-term extension and a last-minute change of heart seem to be the challenges currently being navigated.
A contract for Sneed slowing things down
Teams have been in a holding pattern surrounding a potential trade for Sneed, but the slowdown isn’t exactly on the Chiefs’ end.
According to ESPN’s Colts NFL Nation reporter Stephen Holder, the main thing holding up a potential trade of Sneed is not the lack of suitors or adequate draft compensation, it’s a matter of teams agreeing to terms on a long-term contract extension with Sneed.
A to Z Sports’ Josh Quiepo and Kyle Dediminicantanio projected that Sneed will earn a four-year deal worth $64.0M in free agency. It seems that won’t be enough to lock up Sneed, though. Jaylon Johnson’s four-year, $76 million deal with the Chicago Bears ensured that. Teams aren’t keen on valuing Sneed in the $20M per year range, even with his incredible 2023 NFL season. That’s the biggest holdup in a trade happening, and at this point in free agency, finances are beginning to dry up around the NFL. There are only a few teams with the cap space to do a contract like that, and many of them don’t seem to value Sneed like that.
Could Sneed stay in Kansas City?
While the Chiefs are still open to trading Sneed, there exists a possibility that he could stay in Kansas City. The team does have other moves they’d like to be able to make in free agency, like adding some veterans to RB, OL, and EDGE positions. Sneed’s $19.8M franchise tag number could prevent them from accomplishing those things.
Still, Sneed expressed his desire to stay with the Chiefs at a charity event in Kansas City on Tuesday. He wants to be a part of the team’s chance to three-peat.
Steve Spagnuolo has made his opinion on the matter clear as well.
“I’m praying every day that we do get (L’Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones) back,” Spagnuolo told A to Z Sports’ Mike Antoniou on the God Bless Football podcast. “I understand the landscape in the NFL. Sometimes it’s tough to keep everybody because of the cap. Listen, I want all these guys to get paid. . . but from my perspective, obviously want both of those guys to be here.”
Things will ultimately come down to whether a team can agree to terms on a contract with Sneed, which includes the Chiefs, who might have to get creative to lower his cap number for 2024.
Leave a Reply