The Kansas City Chiefs are considering parting ways with one of their defensive standouts, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs have given Sneed permission to seek a trade, indicating a potential shift in the team’s defensive strategy. There’s speculation that Kansas City might utilize the franchise tag on Sneed before the upcoming deadline, allowing them to explore trade options for the fourth-year defensive back.
If the Chiefs opt to franchise tag Sneed by the March 5 deadline, they’ll have until mid-July to either secure him with a long-term extension or proceed with a trade. The one-year franchise tag for cornerbacks carries a price tag of $19.8 million for the 2024 season.
Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2020, Sneed has emerged as a key player for the Chiefs, earning recognition for his solid coverage skills. His impressive stats include 10 interceptions, 40 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, and 6.5 sacks over his career.
While teams are expected to express interest in acquiring Sneed, they’ll have to contend with Kansas City’s leverage in negotiations and the allure of staying with the team that drafted him, especially as they pursue a potential third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
