The Chiefs have a plethora of internal free agents to dissect. Of the 25 free agents set to hit the market next month, Brett Veach hopes to sign both Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed. It appears the Chiefs and Jones are on the right path to getting an extension done, but signing Sneed won’t be easy for reasons that are all too familiar to Chiefs fans.
In five seasons as General Manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, Brett Veach has orchestrated three Super Bowl-winning rosters. To get his fourth might be a challenge. With 25 free agents, which include starters, mostly on defense, Veach has his work cut out trying to find the cap space and willing agents to get deals done that favor the Chiefs.
From all accounts, one of the Chief’s biggest priorities is returning to Kansas City. All signs point to Chris Jones resigning with the Chiefs. Even though the two sides had a cantankerous contract stalemate last season, Jones has clarified that he focuses on becoming a three-peat Super Bowl Champion. The only way to do that is to remain a Chief.
Conversely, Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is also set to be a free agent. He’s made it clear that despite the Chief’s recent success, the former fourth-round pick wants to get paid. It does not appear he will give Kansas City a hometown deal. That means he’s looking to get top dollar.
Complicating things, as was the case with Jones last Summer. The St. Louis Group represents Sneed. Much like the Katz Brothers, who represent Jones, Sneed is the only one of three NFL clients they represent. The other two are Denver Broncos Cornerback, Ja’Quan McMillan and Los Angeles Chargers Tight End, Donal Parham.
With inexperienced agents, Veach likely won’t get much cooperation in proving the merits of staying in Kansas City. Instead, they appear determined to hit the free agent market, make a name for themselves, and get Sneed the highest contract possible.
Sneed has his Super Bowl rings, is a new Father, and has been the best cornerback in the NFL for the last two years. Now he wants the cash!
The Katz Brothers ended up with an egg on their face for handling the Jones negotiation. Ultimately, it was Veach and Jones sitting down and hammering out a contract that caused Jones to end his holdout.
Not wanting to repeat last year’s nonsense, reading the tea leaves and Jones’s comments at the Super Bowl rally, it appears he and Veach have already worked out the numbers. Nothing could happen, and things can change, but it’s one less headache for Veach.
At the Super Bowl, Veach made it clear he has a priority list and a secondary list regarding his off-season free agency plan. As back-to-back Super Bowl Champions, it’s possible some vital free agents would rather have a ring than be the highest-paid player at their position.
Still, Sneed isn’t in that category, and Veach might have to place the $18 million franchise tag on his best cornerback.
Veach has performed miracles before, and he has some cap flexibility if he can extend Guard Joe Thuney, Safety Justin Reid, and Tight End Travis Kelce. They could also convert some of the $34 million roster bonus due Patrick Mahomes in March. Further cutting Wide Receivers Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Kadarius Toney would give the Chiefs another $12 million in cap space.
The rumor on Monday was the NFL cap could hit $250 million, thus giving the Chiefs even more cap space. Without any moves, they have $29 million in cap space if the 2024 salary cap is as high as being reported. As it stands now, the Chiefs have roughly $15.2 million in space after the Jones option.
So Veach has enough room to sign Jones, Sneed, and perhaps free agent Wide Receiver Mike Evans and still have enough money to sign other internal free agents such as Drue Tranquill and Tommy Townsend.
Time will tell, but one thing is certain, any deal with Sneed won’t be easy. In the end, Veach might deal him to another team.
