The Kansas City Chiefs have officially completed a significant trade, sending cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, as confirmed by a recent announcement on Tennessee’s official X account. This move marks a pivotal moment for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.

As part of this trade agreement, the Chiefs and Titans will exchange seventh-round draft picks for the upcoming draft, while the Titans will also send a valuable 2025 third-round pick to the Chiefs. Our managing editor, John Dixon, has thoroughly analyzed the details of this trade, providing fans with insights into what this means for both franchises.

Reports indicate that the Tennessee Titans were not the only team interested in acquiring Sneed. Other franchises, including the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and New England Patriots, also expressed interest during the trade discussions, showcasing Sneed’s high value in the market. You can find more information about the interest from these teams here.

According to sources at Arrowhead Pride, the Vikings considered offering a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick in exchange for Sneed; however, they ultimately decided to withdraw from negotiations due to concerns regarding his injury history. Notably, Sneed was featured on 20 of the 22 weekly injury reports in the 2023 season, raising red flags for potential suitors. This issue was highlighted in our recent Arrowhead Pride Premier newsletter.

In contrast, the Titans appeared undeterred by Sneed’s injury concerns, as he successfully passed a physical examination. This made Tennessee’s offer the only viable option for the Chiefs, signaling their commitment to securing Sneed’s talents for their defensive lineup.

As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Titans quickly moved to secure Sneed after acquiring his rights, signing him to a lucrative four-year, $76.4 million contract. This impressive deal includes an astounding $55 million guaranteed, along with a signing bonus worth $20 million, reflecting the Titans’ investment in Sneed as a key player for their future.

During the NFL owner meetings in Orlando, Florida, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed his admiration for Sneed, describing him as “one of my all-time favorite guys.” Reid emphasized Sneed’s character and work ethic, stating, “As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better human.” His glowing remarks highlight the strong bond between Sneed and the Chiefs organization, showcasing the impact he had during his time with the team.

Reid continued, discussing the complexities of managing the salary cap, stating, “What you have to go through, and the players you can keep and you can’t keep.” He reiterated that the team held Sneed in high regard, saying, “We all loved him there. That wasn’t the problem… He was our lockdown guy — the best receiver, he had the best receiver.”

With Sneed’s franchise tag of $19.8 million now off the salary cap in Kansas City, General Manager Brett Veach and cap specialist Chris Shea are left with approximately $25.7 million in cap space to maneuver as they prepare for the upcoming season. As noted by our lead analyst, Ron Kopp, several talented wide receivers, including Tyler Boyd and Odell Beckham Jr., remain available on the free market, and the Chiefs might utilize their newfound financial flexibility to pursue such high-caliber players.

Furthermore, reports suggest that Kansas City is optimistic about using the additional cap space to retain 26-year-old free-agent defensive end Mike Danna. Danna, a former fifth-round pick in 2020, has made a significant impact, accumulating 17.0 sacks over his four seasons with the Chiefs, making him a valuable asset for the team’s defensive strategy moving forward.