The Kansas City Chiefs could look for help outside the team to replace L’Jarius Sneed, but they also have some interesting existing candidates who could win a starting position.
According to an exclusive interview conducted by Charles Goldman, a reporter from A-to-Z Sports Kansas City Charles Goldman reports. After in an exclusive interview with the player, Goldman explained why fans should not underestimate Nazeeh Johnson, a seventh-round pick from 2022, during OTAs and training camp. According to Goldman, the Chiefs were comfortable trading CB L’Jarius Sneed because they already had the perfect replacement on the team. Nazeeh Johnson
was on track to start on defense as a cornerback opposite Sneed and Trent McDuffie in 2023 before a season-ending injury during training camp.”
Johnson has been making his way back from a torn ACL in 2024, and was ready to return to the field in mid-February. He also shared a workout video on the 18th. The 25-year-old has shown a strong desire to resume where he left off last summer. Nazeeh Johnson's Plans Revealed by Chiefs for Him
During the conversation with Goldman, Johnson mentioned that the Chiefs still have significant plans for him after his injury.
, Goldman detailed a lengthy and difficult transition in the NFL from safety to cornerback that finally clicked for Johnson just before he got injured. He had briefly surpassed rookie success stories
In the articleJoshua Williams Jaylen Watson and on the depth chart. “At the beginning, I had doubts about myself, because it was tough,” Johnson told the A-to-Z Sports media member. “You're switching from safety to corner, and now you have to be hands-on and hear criticism about your technique and everything, but they kept working with me. I really appreciate that they worked with me.”
“What I did in the last camp was a result of the whole year of learning how to play corner, trusting my abilities, and doing all that stuff,” he explained. “And it’s all coming full circle. It's why I was performing well in OTAs and camp.”
Johnson stated he has no option but to work his way back to his previous path.
Chiefs Kingdom Should Trust Steve Spagnuolo & Dave Merritt
Many KC fans are upset about the Sneed trade. Some believed the Chiefs should have kept the star defensive back for another year, while others thought the return was not good enough.
Both of those opinions are valid, but it's also reasonable to believe that the Kansas City coaching staff can successfully develop more prospects similar to Sneed.
It’s easy to forget that Sneed was a
fourth-round pick that played safety in his final college season. He only played in nine games as a rookie, starting six of them, and managed three interceptions and seven pass defenses right from the start. That being said, Sneed's case is not unusual in this team.
The Chiefs have become one of the best in the business at developing cornerbacks, thanks to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and DBs coach Dave Merritt, among others.
After all, McDuffie is already a famous player and both Williams and Watson have shown an ability to perform well when needed.
had also become a starting safety by year two before his injury, and Johnson made significant progress last summer. Bryan Cook Who’s to say one of these players cannot develop into Sneed, or something similar?
With 2023 seventh rounder
and promising UDFA Nic Jones Ekow Boye-Doe in the mix as well, the Chiefs have enough talent to carry out a strong CB competition in 2024. The Chiefs have a few interesting in-house options to replace L’Jarius Sneed in 2024 and one comeback story could develop into an unexpected candidate.
