L’Jarius Sneed has long been expected to be one of the top available free agents on the market and is likely set to command a high price tag, given his skills at the premium cornerback position. Sneed could be set for a different path and potential trade to another team, however, after news of the Kansas City Chiefs allowing him to seek a trade came out on Wednesday.
L’Jarius Sneed Given Permission To Seek Trade
Sneed, who was ranked as PFN’s 10th-best available free agent and second-best cornerback, may not end up available on the market after all.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Chiefs have not used the franchise tag on Sneed just yet but are expected to do so. That’s where their allowing Sneed to seek a trade comes in as he could be tagged and then traded to another team on the one-year deal, perhaps one that is more willing to sign him to a long-term contract extension.
“The Chiefs have not officially tagged L’Jarius Sneed just yet,” Rapoport said. “They are expected to, but it is unclear as of right now whether or not he’s going to be on the team. He does have permission to seek a trade, I’m told he does have permission to speak to teams.”
Sneed is coming off a strong season as a key part of Kansas City’s win in Super Bowl 58. He tallied 78 total tackles (60 solo), 14 pass breakups, five tackles for loss, and two interceptions across 16 appearances, all starts, in the regular season.
With a trade seeming to be the likeliest outcome for Sneed at this point, let’s take a look at some potential landing spots for the standout cornerback.
Sneed’s Potential Landing Spots
Here are three potential landing spots for Sneed in a trade if he gets franchise-tagged, with two NFC contenders at the forefront as the most logical suitors for the talented young cornerback.
Sneed Bolsters Eagles’ Struggling Secondary
Sneed has been linked to Philadelphia quite a bit this offseason as a potential free agent target for the franchise and could certainly still make some sense as a trade target.
The Eagles’ secondary was one of its biggest weaknesses in 2023. James Bradberry’s struggles were prominent among the group as he allowed the most touchdowns against any cornerback with 10, according to Pro Football Focus. Philadelphia has looked to the draft for help in recent years and could do so again, but signing Sneed would give them a proven veteran presence to anchor the room.
It’s a move that could make plenty of sense for the Eagles if they can make it work within the restrictions of the salary cap and get Sneed for an at least somewhat reasonable price tag, both in trade compensation and potential salary on an extension.
Lions Shore Up Key Need With Sneed
Detroit had its most successful season in more than three decades this past year but could use some reinforcements at cornerback to build on that performance in 2024. It’s a position the Lions could certainly address in the draft, but they may have the salary cap space and potential assets to take on Sneed as a sure-fire improvement in the cornerbacks room.
If Detroit is serious about going all-in on its current window of contending for a Super Bowl, dealing for Sneed could certainly help its chances in 2024.
Cardinals Add True No. 1 to CB Room
Arizona is slated to have plenty of cap space as well and is in desperate need of help at the cornerback position as it aims to improve on a disappointing 2023 season with hopes of a full season from Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals’ defense struggled last year, and adding a jack-of-all-trades player like Sneed to the secondary could bolster their efforts across the board, given his willingness to step up against the run game, too.
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If Arizona decides Sneed is worth the price, adding him could certainly be a big boon to their cornerback room in adding a truly dependable No. 1 option to the mix.
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