The Kansas City Chiefs just made a huge decision with their star defensive player, and immediately have a choice to make with another.

The Chiefs and defensive lineman Chris Jones agreed to a five-year deal with virtually $95 million in guaranteed money, keeping Jones in Kansas City long-term. Jones was the top priority for the Chiefs this offseason, alongside cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who has been hit with the franchise tag by K.C. in 2024.

Chiefs and five-time Pro-Bowl DT Chris Jones reached agreement on a record 5-year deal that includes $95 million guaranteed and allows KC to keep its best defender before free agency begins, per his agents, @KatzBrosSports.

Deal is expected to be the highest average salary ever… pic.twitter.com/aRidQ0309z

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2024

With Jones locked up, Sneed is now the big focus for the Chiefs, who have a few options:

Trade L'Jarius Sneed?

The Chiefs can get a decent haul by trading Sneed to another team. Recent projections say K.C. could get a second-round pick, or maybe even a first-round pick (or a pick swap in the first round).

Trading Sneed has its upsides. Netting an extra pick in the first two rounds and/or earning a higher pick via swap could allow the Chiefs to fill some roster holes that need serious attention, including at wide receiver and left tackle.

There's also the fact that, over the years, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has done a good job drafting cornerbacks, especially in the later rounds. There must be some belief that the team can fill Sneed's void with current and soon-to-be-added talent.

The downside is that the Chiefs would be losing out on a Pro Bowl-worthy CB. Though Sneed wasn't named to the Pro Bowl, he certainly should have been in 2023 after shutting down some of the league's top receivers all season long. Replacing that sort of production isn't that easy, or else every team would do it.

Sign Sneed long-term?

Believe it or not, the Chiefs could still sign Sneed to a long-term deal even after this Jones deal has been made official. It'd require some maneuvering, for sure: The Chiefs would likely need to restructure the contracts of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right tackle Jawaan Taylor and possibly more to clear up space. But it's possible.

The issue is tying up so much long-term cap space on just a handful of assets. The Chiefs spent big on Mahomes, Jones and Taylor, so adding Sneed to that mix could constrain their future cap space.

Allow Sneed to play on the franchise tag?

This is the most unlikely option for many reasons. First and foremost, Sneed probably doesn't want to play on the tag. He wants a big-money, long-term deal, and he deserves one. He's earned it.

Second, the Chiefs may not have the space to do this after the Jones deal. Maybe they could make this happen via restructures and a small Year 1 cap number for Jones, but paying Sneed $19 million in 2023 would not be ideal for cap reasons. It would, however, allow the Chiefs to kick the can further down the road, so it's not completely off the table.

Look for a move on Sneed soon

Regardless of whether Sneed stays or goes, look for the Chiefs to decide on him soon. With free agency approaching on March 13, the Chiefs will need to know where they stand with the salary cap to make some moves and work toward their lofty goal of a three-peat.

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