The Kansas City Chiefs, hailed as the first repeat Super Bowl champions in two decades, owe much of their success to their formidable defense. However, recent reports suggest that they may be on the brink of losing a key player, posing a potential setback for stars Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

During the latter half of the 2022 season, Kansas City’s pass defense emerged as a dominant force, buoyed by a robust pass rush spearheaded by All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones and stellar performances in the secondary from cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed.

Despite their crucial roles in the Chiefs’ defensive prowess, there are concerns about their future with the team. With an NFL salary cap of $15.222 million for 2024, retaining all three players presents a significant financial challenge. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is adamant about keeping the core intact, but the realities of the league’s salary landscape and the demand for impact defenders may force difficult decisions.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano highlighted the dilemma facing the Chiefs, particularly regarding Sneed’s contract negotiations. Given the escalating salary cap and the potential cost of retaining Sneed, the team may opt to let him walk in free agency. The franchise tag, a consideration for Jones, comes with a hefty price tag exceeding $30 million, making a long-term deal for him more plausible but complicating negotiations with Sneed.

Moreover, the cost of the franchise tag for cornerbacks surpasses expectations, with Sneed commanding a staggering $19.802 million if tagged. Despite his stellar performance, this financial burden could prove prohibitive for the Chiefs in their efforts to retain both defensive stalwarts.

Already, numerous teams have expressed interest in Sneed, setting the stage for a fierce bidding war in free agency. Should Sneed depart, the Chiefs would likely receive a compensatory third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and face the challenge of finding a replacement to complement McDuffie in the secondary.