The Kansas City Chiefs brought back CB L’Jarius Sneed this week on a one-year, up-to-$5 million prove-it style of contract. He’s already reclaimed his old No. 38 jersey from second-year CB Kevin Knowles as he seeks to reintegrate himself.

While familiarity was a driving factor in this reunion, there are many questions about whether it’ll work. Sneed appeared in only a dozen games for the Tennessee Titans across two seasons, with a quad injury leading to a shortened 2025 NFL season. When he was on the field, the play wasn’t particularly encouraging. It certainly wasn’t the dominant level of shutdown cornerback play that he displayed in his final season with the Chiefs in 2023.

Is the 29-year-old healthy enough to hold up over the course of a full season, and can he be the same player he once was? There’s a lot of optimism about his return in the building, starting with the big man himself, Chiefs HC Andy Reid.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid drops some knowledge on L’Jarius Sneed’s situation

Coach Reid spoke about Sneed’s return on Thursday, providing an update on his health and a look ahead. +

“Yeah, I’m a big L’Jarius (Sneed) fan,” Andy Reid said. “I think you guys know that. He’s a good football player. He says he feels healthy. He kind of went through some things in Tennessee health-wise. I think he’s in a good place there. You know, he’s a good person and good player. The guys – it was kind of neat to see the guys welcome him back in that know him. There’s so much change that goes on in this league, but you can really tell the guys that played with him were just very excited to have him back in the building here.”

While there are a lot of new faces in Kansas City since Sneed was last there in 2023, there’s also plenty of familiar faces excited to see him return. Nick Bolton, Chamarri Conner, George Karlaftis, and Chris Jones, for example.

Chris Jones sees the entire vision of bringing L’Jarius Sneed back

Jones spoke on Sneed’s return on Wednesday, explaining to media members that he hated to see him go in the first place. The business of the NFL can be harsh, but you also get some full circle moments.

“Oh man, I love that we brought (L’Jarius) Sneed back,” Jones said. “I hate that he left and got paid, but you know that’s the name of the game. You know, he got his rewards for what he did. But I’m glad to have him back in the building. The physicality that he brings to the team, playing nickel, playing outside corner. I think we can, like, he’s another guy that we can utilize in so many different areas on this defense, and I think he’s going to help us tremendously with our DBs.”

With an open competition at the nickel cornerback spot, and things trending toward bigger-bodied players, it’s no surprise to see Jones mention that first. There’s also the physicality that he brings in coverage, the run game, and as a blitzer. That’s something the Chiefs can surely use.

What else can they use? A veteran mentor for their young cornerback room featuring guys like Nohl Williams, Mansoor Delane, and Jadon Canady.

Chiefs second-year CB Nohl Williams is eager to learn from Sneed

While Williams is more comfortable in the system heading into Year 2, he’s actively trying to learn from his teammates. He talks to guys like Chamarri Conner, Nick Bolton, Chris Roland-Wallace, Jaden Hicks, and others to try to pick up on things they might’ve seen that he might’ve missed.

With Sneed returning to Kansas City, he’s looking forward to having an opportunity to learn from him.

“For sure, I’ve watched him throughout my college career,” Williams said. “He’s a good cornerback addition to our defense. Our DB room. I haven’t talked to him yet. I’m looking forward to meeting him, learning from him. He knows what it looks like. He knows how to be a championship DB on a championship team.”

Williams knows that Sneed has reached the mountaintop with the Chiefs before. He’ll look to be a sponge, soaking up all the tips his new teammate is willing to share.