The writing is on the wall and it reads as if L’Jarius Sneed’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs had ended. After it was reported yesterday that both sides were open to a trade if they couldn’t agree on a long-term contract extension, the Chiefs have now reportedly permitted Sneed to seek a trade.

The Chiefs officially gave star CB L'Jarius Sneed permission to seek a trade
After James Palmer of NFL Network had information that the organization was completing initial meetings with both Sneed and Chris Jones’ representatives Wednesday morning, Ian Rapoport has now confirmed that Sneed is free to speak with other teams and gauge his value.

Kansas City is expected to use the franchise tag on Sneed, though seem more willing to use the money from a potential extension on other players like Jones.

Chiefs Grant L’Jarius Sneed Permission to Seek Trade

Sneed is likely to have many suitors around the NFL. At only 27 years old, he’s coming off a career year in which he established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. He’s seeking a huge payday, an understandable stance considering he was only a fourth-round draft pick.

We’ve seen sign-and-trades in the past, and this situation is similar to the blockbuster trade that landed Tyreek Hill in Miami. The Chiefs used the additional cap space on a new Jones deal then, and history could be repeating itself now in 2024.

With other foundational players due for new contracts in the near future like Nick Bolton, Trent McDuffie, Creed Humphrey and others, it sounds like Brett Veach doesn’t want to tie up too much future capital on a position that he’s scouted and development players so effectively at in the past.

If we have indeed seen Sneed’s final game as a Chief, he’ll be fondly remembered as a leader of one of the best defenses Kansas City has ever seen and a key cog in the dynasty.