The Kansas City Chiefs have given cornerback L’Jarius Sneed permission to seek a trade, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL media.
This report comes on the heels of a rumor that the Chiefs could use their franchise tag on Sneed and then proceed to trade him afterward.
Kansas City has until March 5 to place a tag on Sneed. If it does, it would then have until mid-July to either give him a long-term deal or trade him. Based on all of the recent rumblings, the latter seems like the more likely conclusion.
Sneed would make $19.8 million under a franchise tag in 2024, a number that would almost surely be too rich for the Chiefs’ blood given their current salary cap situation.
Kansas City is prioritizing re-signing defensive lineman Chris Jones, which will cost the club a pretty penny. Retaining Sneed as well would make it so the Chiefs would be handcuffed and would not be able to address other holes on the roster.
Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported earlier on Wednesday that an assistant general manager felt that Sneed could fetch a second-round draft pick in a trade for Kansas City. If that is true, you can see why the Chiefs feel like moving him may be their best option.
Sneed, who played his collegiate football at Louisiana Tech, was selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
After a couple of solid seasons to begin his career, Sneed broke out in 2022, playing in every game and racking up 108 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 11 passes defended.
The 27-year-old then appeared in 16 contests this past year, registering 78 tackles, a couple of picks, a fumble recovery and 14 passes defended.
L’Jarius Sneed has played a pivotal role in helping the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowl championships, so losing him will definitely sting.
Unfortunately, Kansas City may have no other choice.
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