Kansas City Chiefs Trade Of Star Player To AFC Rival To Save $19.8 Million Has Fans On Edge

Per Schefter, the trade will save the Chiefs $19.8 million against the salary cap. Per Over The Cap, the Chiefs had $7 million in cap space remaining before the trade. The team needs extra cap space to sign more free agents and draft picks this spring. They also need emergency funding for the regular season.

Per Nate Taylor with The Athletic, the Titans had the “framework” for a trade with the Chiefs for Sneed last week. However, Sneed’s request for a long-term contract was a hurdle for the Titans:

“The framework for a trade was in place last week between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed as the centerpiece.

The trade never happened, though. The Titans couldn’t sign off on it because of the final major hurdle: agreeing to a multiyear contract with Sneed, on whom the Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag earlier this month.

Similar to most players in this situation, Sneed doesn’t want to play on the franchise tag, whether for the Chiefs or another team, according to league sources. And Sneed wants a new contract — a three- or four-year deal — that will make him at least one of the highest-paid players at his position, according to a different league source.”

The Tennessee Titans are sending two picks to Kansas City

That issue has been resolved, but it will hurt the Chiefs in draft capital. Kansas City wanted a second-round pick for Sneed. Per Field Yates with ESPN, they will receive a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick for Sneed. It was predicted Sneed would want a three-year deal with $40 million guaranteed.

Per Jordan Schultz with Bleacher Report, Sneed is expected to sign a four-year deal worth $76 million, of which $55 million will be guaranteed.

Fans react to Chiefs trading L’Jarius Sneed

Chiefs and Titans fans reacted to the trade. Here are the best takes of the Chiefs trading a key defender to save millions in cap space.