The Kansas City Chiefs reluctantly parted ways with L’Jarius Sneed due to salary cap constraints, even though they valued him highly. Last week, there were reports of Sneed being traded to the Tennessee Titans, a team striving to rejuvenate itself around young quarterback Will Levis. Chiefs coach Andy Reid expressed regret over Sneed’s departure.
However, as of now, the trade has not been officially confirmed. Despite widespread reports about the agreement between the Chiefs and Titans, neither team has made an official announcement, leaving observers wondering about the cause of the delay.
Concerns about the Sneed trade
During the previous offseason, Sneed started experiencing discomfort from a knee injury. This swelling led to Sneed’s absence from a significant portion of training camp last summer, and it continued to require management throughout the 2023 season, resulting in him missing several practices. It’s conceivable that this injury may have hindered Sneed from obtaining the medical approval needed to finalize his trade to Tennessee.
Despite experiencing discomfort, Sneed managed to deliver his most impressive season in 2023, establishing himself as a crucial component of the formidable Kansas City defense. Despite missing just one game, Sneed achieved a career-high of 14 pass deflections. Moreover, he held opposing quarterbacks to a 56.2 passer rating and a 51 percent completion rate on passes targeted at him.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously indicated that Sneed was still required to undergo a physical examination before finalizing his lucrative contract with the Titans and relocating to Nashville. This further strengthens the notion that he has yet to receive clearance from a medical evaluation.
And what if Sneed must remain?
The most undesirable outcome for all parties involved would be if Sneed fails to pass his physical examination, resulting in the nullification of the trade deal and potentially compelling him to play the 2024 season under Kansas City’s franchise tag. This tag entails a one-year contract valued at $19.8 million, significantly less than the reported four-year, $76.4 million deal he has purportedly agreed upon with Tennessee.
Nevertheless, with nearly all other terms settled, it is improbable that Sneed, the Titans, or the Chiefs would backtrack now, particularly with $55 million in guaranteed money awaiting the 27-year-old. The delay may simply be due to administrative procedures, but until the trade is officially completed and announced, it remains a situation of interest.
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