Brett Veach prioritizing re-signing Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed

[RunKC]

What some of us have been wondering...

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said he is aware of the challenge the organization faces in re-signing both defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed but said it would be an offseason priority to get both players under new contracts.

"Sometimes I look at our situation and I'm like, 'I don't know how we're going to do this,' but we usually work through things systematically and have a list of the priorities,'' Veach said as the Chiefs continued preparations for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. "Certainly, Chris and LJ are at the top of the list.

"It's extremely hard because you have two keystone players there.''

Jones, 29, has been one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for years. He had 10.5 sacks this season to tie for the team lead after missing training camp and the first regular-season game while holding out for a new contract.

He didn't get the extension he was looking for, but the Chiefs sweetened the final season of his existing contract.

"It was important for us to mend the fences with Chris because we love him and he's an iconic player here, not just here, but I mean of all time,'' Veach said. "That was important for us, and we'll continue to work hard and see if we can get something done, but it will be a priority for us.''

The Chiefs used Sneed, 27, this season to defend against the opponent's top receiver much of the time, and none had big games against him.

Jones and Sneed are key players for an improved Chiefs defense that allowed fewer points than all but one other team during the regular season and held the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens to 41 total points in the playoffs.

The Chiefs had defenses that were at times competitive since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, but rarely were they consistently so. Veach and the Chiefs found the task of building a top defense difficult because the past few seasons they were carrying Mahomes' massive contract.

"I still remember in '17 and '18 just saying if we can just get them to punt just once we've got a shot,'' Veach said. "Now all of a sudden it's like all we've got to do is just score once and we're good.

"Going from where we were in '17 and '18 to having one of the best defenses, knowing the constraints we had of just paying [Mahomes] and probably drafting later [in rounds], I don't think I ever envisioned having a top one or two defense.''

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-ljarius-sneed

[O.city]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Huh? I don't remember very many people clamoring for Thuney or Taylor back when they were FAs. And the only people who mentioned Taylor were because they thought he could play LT.

Not necessarily the names, just that they spent the $ there so they can't really spend it here.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

They're letting Sneed potentially go because they did what everyone wanted, and "sign big names" in Thuney and Taylor.

It is what it is.

They can get out of Thuney's deal after this year (and they probably will) to save $16 million.

From a financial standpoint I think it's more so that Chris Jones is gonna take up the short term money and guys like Creed, Bolton (and maybe Trey) will take up a good deal of the long money.

Don't forget McDuffie can ask for a new contract after 3 years. If he gets back-to-back All pro's and wants paid....then what?

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

They can get out of Thuney's deal after this year (and they probably will) to save $16 million.

From a financial standpoint I think it's more so that Chris Jones is gonna take up the short term money and guys like Creed, Bolton (and maybe Trey) will take up a good deal of the long money.

Don't forget McDuffie can ask for a new contract after 3 years. If he gets back-to-back All pro's and wants paid....then what?

Let Mcduffie play out the 4 years, then trade him.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by O.city

Not necessarily the names, just that they spent the $ there so they can't really spend it here.

Which is fine. Both of those guys have helped protect our franchise. Thuney is the best in the business and despite Taylor's early struggles he played very well down the stretch. Honestly, Sneed is fantastic but he plays a position where we have other guys who can give you 80% of what he does and that's good enough to win, especially when McDuffie is every bit as good as Sneed on the other side.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by O.city

Let Mcduffie play out the 4 years, then trade him.

Shit, hit him with the 5th year option then tag him, just like Sneed.

[RaidersOftheCellar]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

I think this team is going to be so different next year that thinking in terms of "well if don't replace that than we have a hole" etc etc is the wrong way to approach it. I think there will be major changes at several positions and it'll be a very fresh but scary feeling with the team rebalanced. But I also think that's the leap the team will need to take to keep at the most competitive level for the next 10 years rather than the next 2.

I don't see the team being dramatically different. The only likely changes to the offensive starters will be an upgrade at WR and possibly a new tackle. On defense, they'll probably lose Sneed and a few of the weakest starters (Nnadi, Danna and/or Gay).

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

Let Mcduffie play out the 4 years, then trade him.

In 4 years I think you're gonna see Karlaftis, Bolton and McDuffie as the leaders on each level. We're gonna be paying them a lot.

But Kelce, Chris, Thuney and Taylor will all be gone

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by O.city

Let Mcduffie play out the 4 years, then trade him.

Nah, he'll get a 2nd contract.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

In 4 years I think you're gonna see Karlaftis, Bolton and McDuffie as the leaders on each level. We're gonna be paying them a lot.

But Kelce, Chris, Thuney and Taylor will all be gone

Karlaftis is gonna ask for 100 million, probably have to pay him.

Mcduffie will be coming off a couple all pro's and likely be the best CB in the league.

Could recoup some high draft value.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Nah, he'll get a 2nd contract.

Between him and Karlaftis, they'll probably want 55 million a year.

I dunno if the Chiefs keep both.

[raybec 4]

Originally Posted by O.city

Karlaftis is gonna ask for 100 million, probably have to pay him.

Mcduffie will be coming off a couple all pro's and likely be the best CB in the league.

Could recoup some high draft value.

Unless George takes a giant leap forward in the next couple of years he's not getting 100 million.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by O.city

Let Mcduffie play out the 4 years, then trade him.

They'll pick up the 5th year player option and work on an extension. Having Year 4 + Year 5 + franchise year tag to run the first 3 years of an extension should make that as favorable as it possibly can be for a team.

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by O.city

They're letting Sneed potentially go because they did what everyone wanted, and "sign big names" in Thuney and Taylor.

It is what it is.

How dare people say "never again" after the Tampa Superbowl.

[Gravedigger]

If the formula keeps working and we keep winning Super Bowls, I don't think they're paying any of our current young studs. I know Bolton and Humphrey will get paid.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

The #chiefs plan is have their first real meetings with both Chris Jones' reps and L'Jarius Sneed's reps completed by the end of today per source. There is a thought the failed negotiations last year are actually viewed as helpful as these talks with Jones' reps get going.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) February 28, 2024