After securing a Super Bowl victory, the Kansas City Chiefs faced a crucial decision regarding Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed as free agency loomed. The team swiftly solidified their commitment to Jones, securing him a five-year contract extension despite franchise tagging Sneed.
Meanwhile, Sneed’s stellar performance in the 2023 season garnered interest from the Tennessee Titans, sparking speculation about his potential move. Nevertheless, recent reports indicate a shift in the Titans’ interest due to the cornerback’s significant contract demands.
L’Jarius Sneed’s contract demands led to Titans deal collapse
The Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans were on the verge of a potential trade involving L’Jarius Sneed, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic. Nevertheless, negotiations hit a snag when the Titans couldn’t reach an agreement with Sneed on a long-term contract. The fallout has come as he has been seeking a three or four-year deal, aimed to become one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
With the deal falling through, the Titans shifted their focus and made a significant signing by securing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a lucrative four-year, $92 million contract. Meanwhile, the Chiefs opted to use the franchise tag on Sneed to prevent him from hitting free agency. Under the one-year tender, the Chiefs cornerback is guaranteed $19.8 million for the 2024 season.
Sneed expressed his reluctance to play under the franchise tag, aiming for a long-term deal with an average annual value of around $20 million. Nevertheless, with only Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers and Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns currently earning at least $20 million per season, teams may be hesitant to meet Sneed’s lofty contract demands, especially considering his age compared to other top cornerbacks.
The Chiefs’ star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, recently restructured his contract. Still, the Chiefs are facing salary cap constraints. It may force them to part ways with their No. 1 cornerback.
While other teams, such as the New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons, were previously interested in Sneed, reports indicate that discussions with these clubs have stalled in recent times despite the CB’s stellar performance last season.
L’Jarius Sneed 2023 NFL season in numbers
The Chiefs made history in the previous NFL season, securing back-to-back Super Bowl victories, with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed playing a pivotal role in their success. His exceptional performance statistics from the past season highlight his significance to the Chiefs’ defensive unit.
With 78 total tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and 14 pass defenses, he proved to be a formidable force on the field. Even in the Super Bowl showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, he displayed his defensive prowess, tallying three tackles and a crucial pass deflection.
Since joining the Chiefs as the 138th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft, Sneed has become an integral part of the team’s lineup. His presence has been synonymous with the Chiefs’ consistent success, as the franchise has clinched playoff berths every year since his arrival in 2020.
Stay tuned to get the latest update on L’Jarius Sneed’s future in the NFL.
