The Kansas City Chiefs are finalizing a trade to send standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick swap, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Sneed, whom the Chiefs franchise tagged this offseason, will sign a new contract with the Titans as part of the trade, according to Schefter. The pact is a four-year extension worth $76 million with $55 million guaranteed, sources told Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
The 27-year-old’s reported $19-million average annual salary would rank in the top five among corners. Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers ($21 million) and Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns ($20.1 million) top the position in that catergory, according to Over the Cap.
Tennessee had worked for weeks to acquire Sneed but initially failed to agree to terms on a multi-year deal with the defensive back. The Louisiana Tech product was a cornerstone of the Chiefs’ secondary and helped the team win back-to-back Super Bowls. Sneed allowed a 56.2 passer rating in 16 appearances during the 2023 season.
A 2020 fourth-round pick, Sneed missed six games as a rookie due to injury but has since made at least 15 appearances each campaign. He’s averaged 91 tackles, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, and two sacks per 17 games played since entering the NFL.
Landing Sneed is another splash for an aggressive Titans team this offseason. Tennessee signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92-million contract and center Lloyd Cushenberry to a four-year pact worth $50 million in free agency. The team has also added free-agent corner Chidobe Awuzie and running back Tony Pollard, among others. Sneed and Awuzie are expected to start outside, with Roger McCreary lining up as the nickel.
Tennessee missed the playoffs for a second straight year in 2023 and hired Brian Callahan as head coach this offseason to replace Mike Vrabel. The AFC South club is also moving forward with quarterback Will Levis, a 2023 second-round pick who started nine games in Year 1.
Despite parting ways with Sneed, the Chiefs still boast a solid secondary led by All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie. Before receiving the franchise tag, Sneed was one of two main potential free agents for the reigning Super Bowl champions, along with defensive lineman Chris Jones, who recently inked a five-year deal worth a record $158.7 million to remain in Kansas City.
The Sneed trade will free up $19.8 million in salary cap space for the Chiefs.
