NFL Trade Rumors: Chiefs' L'Jarius Sneed Linked to Patriots, Lions, Vikings, More

After receiving the franchise tag from the Kansas City Chiefs, cornerback L'Jarius Sneed reportedly is still drawing significant trade interest from a bevy of teams around the NFL.

According to Tyler Dragon of USA Today, the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have all "expressed interest" in Sneed, who has permission to seek a trade despite the franchise-tag designation.

Sneed and the Chiefs have until mid-July to finalize a long-term contract extension. If the two sides are unable to come to an agreement, Kansas City will have until the 2024 trade deadline to try to secure a deal for him and avoid losing him for nothing.

A fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Sneed has established himself as one of the best zone cornerbacks in the league. Dragon noted that during the 2023 season, Sneed allowed no touchdowns and a league-low four yards per target while in zone coverage, per Next Gen Stats.

Sneed appeared in 16 games last season and totaled 78 tackles with 14 passes defended, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He played a key part in helping the Chiefs win their second straight Super Bowl title.

Kansas City faced a similar situation in recent years, as it allowed star receiver Tyreek Hill to seek a team that would trade for him and give him the long-term extension he desired. The Chiefs sent Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, so they are not afraid to deal away one of their best players if it helps them in the long run.

The Chiefs drafted five cornerbacks over the last two years, including 2023 first-team All-Pro Trent McDuffie, so they could already have the pieces in place to survive losing Sneed.