As the confetti settles on the Kansas City Chiefs winning back-to-back Super Bowls, the hard reality of the offseason approaches.
One of the Chiefs’ most tough issues is whether they can afford to keep cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. According to Spotrac.com, Sneed is projected to sign a four-year contract worth $65 million this offseason.
As of now, there does not appear to be a clear way for the Chiefs to retain superstar defensive lineman Chris Jones and Sneed. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler stated, “Re-signing free agents Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed appears ambitious, but Kansas City should pick one and proceed from there. Let us start with Jones because the entire pass rush is constructed around him.”
Sneed, who led the Chiefs in interceptions and passes defensed this season, will not struggle in free agency. If Kansas City prioritizes Jones, NFL expert Matt Bowen believes Sneed would sign with Travis Kelce’s brother’s team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Upgrading the cornerback position is an offseason priority in Philadelphia,” Bowen said in a statement. “With Sneed, the Eagles land one of the top veteran free agents, who has the coverage skills and ability to produce in Vic Fangio’s system.”
If Sneed is unable to stay in Kansas City, signing with a fellow Super Bowl contender like as the Eagles appears to be a viable backup plan.
The Chiefs have 19 pending unrestricted free agents, and Spotrac.com reports that Kansas City has $22.6 million in salary space. Despite the expected league-wide cap increase, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach cannot afford to keep everyone.
The Chiefs’ fourth-round choice in the 2020 NFL Draft has spent his entire career in Kansas City. While the two-time Super Bowl champion would prefer to stay, Sneed recognizes that this is a business. At the age of 27, Sneed has the best chance to secure the bag.
Speaking to Kay Adams on “Up & Adams” on February 15, the Louisiana Tech alum was asked what he wanted to advise Veach before free agency.
“Pay me,” Sneed said.
“Pay me, pay me. That’s what I’ve got to say. Pay me.”
When asked if he’ll stay and go for a three-peat with the Chiefs, “I hope so,” Sneed said. “I hope I’m here. But you never know how it goes. And I hope I’m here. I’m just planning on just doing what I do, play ball, and wherever I’m at, I’m gonna do my best.”
Sneed is aware of the critical decision Veach must make between himself and Jones. “They can’t keep both of us,” Sneed explained.
The Chiefs Picked Up the Option on Chris Jones’ Contract
On February 16, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Kansas City “picked up the option” on Jones’ contract, “retaining the right to franchise tag him and paying him $4.25M he earned in incentives.” However, this was all a formality. “It was more about time than anything, as Jones was owed the money anyway. “If he’s not tagged, he’ll be free,” Rapoport said.
Jones is expected to receive a three-year, $85.4 million contract as a free agent. A franchise tag would cost around $32 million. Despite his contract’s impact on the wage cap, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Jones, the “Chiefs’ second-most important player,” will stay put.
“I can’t help but think they need to find a way to keep him there his whole career,” Graziano said in a statement. “I’m never going to encourage a player not to go collect his money, and if Jones wants to max out on this contract and go elsewhere, that’s OK. But he is playing at a Hall of Fame level in Kansas City, and it would be great if the Chiefs and Jones could find a way to keep it up.”
