The Pittsburgh Steelers revealed last Saturday their interest in acquiring the Super Bowl-winning cornerback, L'Jarius Sneed. This development coincides with the Kansas City Chiefs' landmark five-year deal with defensive tackle, Chris Jones, which includes an astounding $95 million guaranteed.
With such a significant financial commitment, the Chiefs may face difficulties in maintaining long-term contracts for other key players, including Sneed.
Despite placing a non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed earlier this month, offering a one-year deal worth $19.8 million, it appears unlikely that he will remain with the team for the 2024 season under this agreement. While the Chiefs have expressed their desire to retain Sneed and have avoided him hitting the open market with the tag, there are indications that they are open to exploring trade opportunities.
According to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach has authorized Sneed's agent to explore potential trades with other teams. The Chiefs are reportedly seeking a second-round draft pick in exchange for the talented cornerback, signaling their willingness to negotiate a trade. They also provide what they believe Sneed’s value is and following his 2023 season, that seems fair.
The prospect of Sneed joining forces with the Steelers secondary is undoubtedly thrilling, promising to bring immense joy to Steelers fans. His presence would bolster the defense significantly, especially considering his pivotal role in the much-improved Chiefs defense in 2023.
Steelers' Potential Trade Target L'Jarius Sneed May Have A Red Flag
Drafted by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Sneed has since played four seasons with the team, showcasing his prowess with two interceptions and 14 pass deflections in 2023 alone. His formidable skills have made opposing quarterbacks wary of throwing in his direction. Now a two-time Super Bowl champion, Sneed's potential addition to the Steelers' defense could elevate their defensive prowess to new heights.
According to a report by Tony Pauline, a potential red flag has surfaced that could significantly hamper Sneed's trade value, however.
“I have learned from numerous sources that Sneed has been dealing with a knee injury that prevented him from practicing for long stretches last season. This type of medical issue will surely raise red flags for any team wanting to employ Sneed with a big-money contract. Any trade will certainly hinge on an examination of the injury.”
While Sneed's injury history may not dissuade teams from pursuing him, it could impact the Chiefs' decision not to offer him a long-term contract. Additionally, it might give pause to other teams interested in his talent.
However, it's probable that a team trading for him would be willing to take on that risk due to his exceptional skill set. Nevertheless, at 27 years old, Sneed is still in his prime and has plenty of high-level performance ahead of him.
In the NFL, injuries are a common occurrence for every player throughout the season. The fact that Sneed was able to work through his injuries and maintain high productivity is a definite positive. While there's always some risk involved with any player, especially one with reported injuries, Sneed's youth offers hope for a full recovery. It will be intriguing to observe how this reported injury affects his trade value, if at all.
While Sneed is currently slated to play for the Chiefs in 2024, there remains a serious possibility of a trade. With the Steelers potentially considering a move to trade for Sneed to bolster their secondary, the prospect of pairing him with their already formidable defense could prove to be a significant boost for the team. If the Steelers were to acquire Sneed, it would represent a significant commitment to their Super Bowl aspirations for 2024. With free agency heating up, Steeler Nation will have their eyes on the moves that foster the future of the NFL.
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