NFL Insider explains why the Chiefs received so little compensation in the Sneed trade

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L’Jarius Sneed’s uncertain offseason future was put to bed as the Chiefs traded the cornerback to the Tennessee Titans.

Sneed was looking to be paid as one of the top corners in the game and has received a top-of-the-market deal.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year deal worth $76 million with $50 million guaranteed.

Sneed looks for a big contract

Being the best defensive back on the market and having two Super Bowl rings in his collection, the Chiefs would have been forced to pay accordingly.

Therefore, they tagged Sneed and searched for a trade.

If he played on the tag, he would have cost north of $19 million on the cap.

Now, the Chiefs have that money to play with in free agency and rookie contracts for the NFL Draft.

However, some fans have been disgruntled by the compensation the Chiefs received from the trade.

Kansas City swapped 2024 seventh-round picks and earned the Titans third-round pick in 2025.

Overall, there seems to be little value for the Chiefs when you consider Sneed’s cornerback ranking.

Nonetheless, there are key reasons as to why the compensation was smaller than some people imagined.

NFL Insider explains the Chiefs compensation

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero stated the reasons: “Price tag was high in terms of the contract worth, L’Jarius Sneed wanted to be one of the highest paid corners in the NFL.

“A lot of the time the contract demands are going to impact the compensation. My understanding is the Chiefs loved L’Jarius Sneed as a player and a person, they needed cap space and they immediately cleared a $19 million cap space; that is off the books.

“They could have got a third-round compensatory pick by having Sneed play this year on that tag and then losing him in free agency next year. The thing is, it is not like you get an automatic pick, it is based on your free agency gains and losses. So if the Chiefs next offseason had a couple of needs and signed a couple of guys they would never get that pick.

“Instead, you lock in, what effectively would have been your third-round comp pick in 2025, you get that right now.”

Veach worked the best deal

There is a method to the madness for the Chiefs front office.

Brett Veach and the crew realized this was a way of confirming a third-rounder next year.

Additionally, they have freed up a useful chunk of cap space, that has opened further free agency avenues.

Ultimately, the Chiefs respected Sneed and gave him the best contract available in the market with the trade.

The Chiefs should have earned the fans’ trust when considering their previous dealings.