L’Jarius Sneed flips Titans narrative after brutal offseason doubts

L'Jarius Sneed was in desperate need of a rebound campaign in 2025. Despite how grim things looked for such an occasion even earlier this summer, the Tennessee Titans cornerback has looked the part of a shutdown defender early two games into the regular season.

Sneed and the Titans are 0-2, so no one in Tennessee is too thrilled with the way things are going, but the availability and productiivty of Sneed is definitely a silver lining. And that was hard to imagine just several weeks ago.

It was nearly 18 months ago when the Titans decided to compensate the Kansas City Chiefs for the rights to reward Sneed with a lucrative four-year contract. The sum total was not only a deal north of $70 million for Sneed but an early third-round pick for K.C. (which resulted in Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte for the next four years).

It's great to see Sneed faring well after so many questions this summer in Tennessee.

The Titans paid such a ransom because Sneed's ability to lock down the opposition's best receiver was showcased time and again in the Chiefs' secondary. In his final season in K.C., Sneed looked better than ever, and the Chiefs' defense helped to deliver multiple titles during his tenure.

Following his arrival in Tennessee, however, Sneed had difficulties staying on the field. His first full season with the team was truncated by a serious quad injury that robbed him of all but five games. This offseason, Sneed was slow to return to practice and missed offseason training activities, minicamp, and training camp.

Coming into Week 1, there were even whispers that the Chiefs might want to bring Sneed back if the Titans decided to cut ties with him, should his lack of availability prove to be too frustrating for a new front office (anchored by former Chiefs exec Mike Borgonzi, by the way).

However, two weeks into a new season. Sneed has played excellent football, making good on the promises he made in the preseason. Sneed said he "felt great" before the season, and the Titans have to be smiling with what they're seeing on the field.

Following the Titans' loss to the L.A. Rams in Week 2, head coach Brian Callahan had solid praise for Sneed. "I thought he did really well. I thought he was sticky."

Sneed said he "felt great" when asked about the number of snaps he played on Sunday, and it sounds as if he's going to be able to continue to anchor the secondary for the Titans.

With such a young team facing a long-term rebuild, the Titans are likely to experience some significant growing pains going forward. But rookies and developmental players need trusted guides to show them the way forward, and the Titans have a lockdown corner in Sneed to make everyone's roles easier around him. Better late than never for Sneed and the Titans.