Projecting the contract the Colts should offer L'Jarius Sneed after trading for him
The Indianapolis Colts remain seriously interested in the possibility of adding Kansas City Chiefs star CB L'Jarius Sneed via trade. That interest has now become official, as the team is closing in on finalizing a trade for the veteran cornerback.Sources tell A to Z Sports that the Colts are finalizing a deal that will send […]
The Indianapolis Colts remain seriously interested in the possibility of adding Kansas City Chiefs star CB L'Jarius Sneed via trade. That interest has now become official, as the team is closing in on finalizing a trade for the veteran cornerback.
Sources tell A to Z Sports that the Colts are finalizing a deal that will send a 2024 third-rounder and an unspecified 2025 draft pick in exchange for Sneed. Now, the Colts have their much-needed CB1 to help them make their 2024 playoff push.
Contract details are still unknown, however, and that's obviously a big part of the puzzle.
This has led me to think about what kind of contract I'd offer Sneed if I were the Colts.
But first, let me share some important factors to consider with Sneed: He just turned 27-years-old in January. He's had two or more interceptions every year of his career and has set a new career high for pass deflections each season. Last but certainly not least, Sneed is viewed as one of the best zone coverage CBs in the NFL. I'd even go as far as to say he is a top-three CB in the league in zone coverage and arguably a top-10 CB.
Projected contract offer to Sneed
Considering the player Sneed is, I think he is the type of player the Colts have to take the big swing on. And while they've taken more big swings than fans realize, they need to go the extra mile to make sure they don't miss on this one.
This offseason, the Chicago Bears gave CB Jaylon Johnson a new four-year, $76 million deal, with $54 million guaranteed. I think the Colts should use that as the baseline in their negotiations. But I think they can exceed Johnson's contract from the Bears to show how much they want and value Sneed.
Offer: 4 years, $80 million, $58 million guaranteed
The Colts haven't signed any player this offseason to a deal exceeding three years, and that's precisely why I think offering Sneed four could go a long way. They could take this offer to Sneed and express that four-year deals are not something they typically go for, but they believe he is the caliber of player that can transform the trajectory of their defense and their team. The area of this that I can see getting backlash is so much of the deal being guaranteed, but if they can trade for Sneed without giving up either of their first two picks, I think guaranteeing over 70% of the deal for a player of Sneed's caliber is going to be the standard sooner rather than later.
Check out the type of deal our cap experts projected Sneed to land prior to being franchise-tagged.
Sources say the Colts are nearing a trade for Chiefs star CB L’Jarius Sneed
The Colts are in the process of adding a star player at a huge position of need
