L'Jarius Sneed's contract outlook for 2024 and beyond is one of the biggest questions facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the wake of their Super Bowl win.
The cornerback was a big part of Kansas City's success in 2023. Now that Snead's free agency has arrived, the Chiefs have to decide if he'll be part of their future and at what cost.
Free Agent Preview of L'Jarius Sneed
To be fair, Snead isn't one of the greatest defensive players in league history. But he has certainly proven himself as a top-tier cornerback. On the open market, he would likely receive a lucrative deal from a team looking to bolster his secondary.
The question is which team will end up with Sneed and how much he will get in free agency. Let's take a closer look at L'Jarius Sneed's contract status, including which teams could potentially pursue him and how much he would make as a free agent.
Heads
It goes without saying that the Chiefs will make a strong effort to keep Snead. Using the franchise tag to keep him through 2024 is one option.
However, the Chiefs also have Chris Jones to consider. They may need to use the franchise tag on Jones if they don't want to risk losing him in free agency. This increases the possibility that Sneed could end up on the open market this offseason, available for any team to negotiate with.
Leaders
As one of the teams with cap space to burn, the Commanders are an obvious candidate for Sneed. Washington is also a team with a lot of needs, including at quarterback with Kendall Fuller hitting free agency.
While the secondary may not be a top priority, the Leaders have the money to make a serious push for Snead.
the Eagles
Elsewhere in the NFC East, the Eagles are another potential contender for Sneed. Cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry are both starting to age.
Since Snead is at the peak of his career, Philadelphia could view him as an upgrade, making either Slay or Bradberry expendable.
Falcons
Atlanta's top priority this offseason is finding a starting quarterback. But there is also room for improvement on defense despite the return of most of the team's starting lineup.
Depth is an issue at cornerback for the Falcons, which could prompt them to consider Sneed. Additionally, by pairing Sneed with AJ Terrell, Atlanta will have one of the best players in the NFL, which will help reshape the entire defense.
Packers
Likewise, the Packers could have the same mindset about pairing Snead with Jair Alexander. Keep in mind that Green Bay's offense is loaded with young talent.
This will allow the Packers to use their cap space to improve their defense. Outside of Alexander, Green Bay's secondary has a lot of holes to fill this season, making Snead an ideal target.
Rams
The secondary doesn't look like a strength for the Rams right now, especially considering some of the players who became free agents this offseason. On the other hand, Aaron Donald and Coby Turner will help ensure that Los Angeles' defensive line is among the best in the NFL next season.
Therefore, Rams can be aggressive in dealing with secondary matters. Naturally, they will look to target one of the best cornerbacks available, making Sneed a perfect fit in Los Angeles.
Larios Snead contract offer
And based on some of the comments Snead has made this season, he expects to get paid. He is unlikely to get a hometown discount to stay with the Chiefs. After all, he already has two Super Bowl rings.
He doesn't need to chase a championship. He could chase the money instead. Most projections have Sneed making between $15 million and $18 million per season. Ultimately, he's expected to get at least a three-year deal worth $52 million with $30 million guaranteed. However, a four-year deal worth over $70 million could be on the table if there is a bidding war for his services.
