Kansas City Chiefs trade L'Jarius Sneed: Where do they go from here?
The Kansas City Chiefs did something Friday night that surprised everyone for a few reasons. We didn't know for sure if the Chiefs would trade away L'Jarius Sneed or let him play on the franchise tag. Two, we didn't think it would happen that late at night; then again, general manager Brett Veach is good […]
The Kansas City Chiefs did something Friday night that surprised everyone for a few reasons. We didn't know for sure if the Chiefs would trade away L'Jarius Sneed or let him play on the franchise tag. Two, we didn't think it would happen that late at night; then again, general manager Brett Veach is good at making some of the biggest moves after work hours, just like he did with Hollywood Brown.
On Friday night, the Chiefs traded one of the best cornerbacks in the league to the Tennessee Titans, a team that has spent more than their share of money this offseason.
The details of the trade have come out, and it appears that Sneed will sign a four-year deal worth $76 million with $55 million guaranteed. The Chiefs are receiving a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick. The trade also saves the Chiefs around $20 million in cap space, where they previously had only $8 million, according to Spotrac.
So, the question is, where do the Chiefs go from here? Are they done with free agency? Do they focus on the draft now?
Where do the Chiefs go after trading L'Jarius Sneed?
What are their free agency plans?
With the move saving the Chiefs $20 million in cap space, where they did have $8 million, the Chiefs can re-enter free agency with the remaining free agents available. They can now bring back guys they have yet to re-sign where they weren't going to be able to before.
As far as guys that they would like to bring back, we could see edge rusher Mike Danna come back, as edge rusher is a very big position of need for the Chiefs, and Danna was very good last year. He already knows the defensive system, so they wouldn't have to bring someone else in and teach them Steve Spagnuolo's system.
Another guy that could be brought back is left tackle Donovan Smith, which is another huge need. The Chiefs could have signed him before the Sneed trade but likely wouldn't have had any room left for other free agents or rookies. He signed a $3 million deal with the Chiefs last year, and his new deal could be the same or a bit more, depending on what other teams offer him if they offer him anything.
The Chiefs could pursue a player who didn't play with the team last season. If they did, it would likely be a backup guard or another wide receiver. Their free agency plans have changed immensely now.
What are the Chiefs' draft plans now?
The Chiefs' draft plans have not changed much. Cornerback was not a need before, and it isn't a need now. The Chiefs still have guys like Trent McDuffie, who is considered the best cornerback in the league, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Nazeeh Johnson, Ekow Boye-Doe, and Nic Jones. That's a very solid group, especially when you factor in they are all on rookie contracts.
The biggest needs continue to be an offensive tackle, wide receiver, offensive guard (depth), linebacker, tight end, and edge rusher. Those plans did not change after the Sneed trade; however, after their next signing, they could very well change. If the Chiefs use this new cap space to sign Smith back to the team, the offensive tackle need could fall down the totem pole a bit.
The Chiefs still have their heads on straight. Trading Sneed was the better thing to do, and now they move forward. Where do they go from here? Well, they continue to put together the best roster possible, and now they have a better chance at doing that.
