The Minnesota VikingsThe Kansas City Chiefs have noticed the defensive improvements by the L’Jarius Sneed, their top cornerback, who could be traded this offseason.
After the Chiefs put a $19.8 million franchise tag on Sneed in hopes of trading him, Sneed is interested in playing for the Vikings, especially under Brian Flores, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.
“He wants to play for Brian Flores. L’Jarius Sneed would love to be here now,” Wolfson said during a March 19 appearance on SKOR North’s “Mackey and Judd” podcast, adding that the Vikings would have to give up draft capital and sign Sneed to an extension that rivals the top corners in the league.
“The Chiefs are looking for a pretty decent draft pick, you’re not getting him for a sixth or seventh (round pick). Now, maybe in the end you do, but right now you’re not,” Wolfson said. “And you need to give him a monster, monster contract. So, there’s a lot of hurdles there, but I’m just telling you, bottom line, L’Jarius Sneed would love to play for the Vikings.”
A 2020 fourth-round pick, Sneed has been an impact player from the moment he arrived in Kansas City.
He’s started in 54 career games and secured 10 interceptions and 40 passes defensed and played in every Chiefs playoff game the past four seasons, including two Super Bowl victories.
Last season, Sneed held opposing quarterbacks to a 66.0 passer rating, the sixth-best rating among NFL corners last season, per Pro Football Focus.
The Uncertain Future of Chiefs' L’Jarius Sneed and How He Would Fit With the Vikings
GettyKansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed.
Sneed’s contract demands created obstacles for a trade with the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts and as reported by Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame on a Chiefs radio show. Sneed is reportedly sticking to his asking price of $22 million a year to become the highest-paid cornerback in the league..
However, that’s a notion Sneed has rebuked. “On my way to work out & the lies I see,” Sneed wrote in a
since-deleted post on X
(formerly Twitter) responding to Verderame’s report. Sneed’s fit with the Vikings and Flores’ reputation could be reason for Sneed to reconsider his asking price. He would be an ideal fit for Flores, who desires versatile players on defense. Considered the Chiefs’ defensive chess piece at cornerback, Sneed can play both outside and in the slot and is an aggressive blitzer. His 6.5 career sacks since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2020 are the
most by any cornerback
in the past four seasons — not to be overlooked by his cover skills. The Vikings may be able to acquire Sneed without spending high draft picks, as they may not need to give up valuable draft capital considering Sneed needs a new contract as well. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings.
While the Vikings do not have second- or third-round picks in this year’s draft after landing the No. 23 overall pick in a trade with the
GettyHouston Texans
, they may not need to spend valuable draft capital considering Sneed needs a new contract as well. Carrington Harrison of 610 Sports Radio reportedon March 18 that no team has given the Chiefs a second-round pick for Sneed.
on a rookie deal. A second-round pick appears to be the asking price for completing a deal quickly, but the Vikings may wait out the situation and possibly offer a third- or fourth-round pick. Kansas City Chiefs standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is available for trade and “would love” to join the Vikings and Brian Flores.
A second-round pick seems to be the price to get a deal done overnight, but the Vikings can wait out the situation and perhaps offer a third- or fourth-rounder.
