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

[The Bad Guy]

There's a structure you can pay 38, 95, 23 and still get a vet WR. They are all going to have low base salaries and cap hits in 2024. Cap keeps going up in future years so you can structure their deals accordingly.

Chiefs have cap flexibility with cutting, restructures and converting bonuses.

Sneed is a must keep and I'm starting to think Jones is too. You can't just replace those guys and keep this engine humming.

[O.city]

Tyreek talking today essentially saying he wish he’d have stayed

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

They are 100% converting Mahomes bonus this year. Maybe not all of it, but some of it.

I'd be shocked if they let Tranquill walk too. He's not going to cost a lot regardless. Age and the pay scale for the position working against him.

Danna, Gay and Edwards are all likely gone.

I think CJ may take the deal to stay with the Chiefs if they win Sunday. Getting 3 plus rings would likely put him in the HOF. Jones knows the grass isn't greener because of money if he's close with Tyreek.

Tranquill ended up being a great pickup this year and was always ready when we needed him.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Tranquill ended up being a great pickup this year and was always ready when we needed him.

He's been outstanding. I just think he'll be relatively affordable. Give him a multi year deal around 3 years for 11-12 million. He genuinely looks like he loves being a Chief.

[BossChief]

It all really depends on what the final salary cap settles at.

There are rumors that it could be close to 250m, but we are using current cap numbers with a 240m cap.

If the cap is 250m, we have 34m in cap space. Cutting MVS clears 12m in cap space.

I’m expecting to lose CJ95, but it’s a possibility we don’t.

And everyone will bitch about it.

And we will win 3-4 rings in a row.

If the cap rests at 240, CJ95 is probably long gone.

[TribalElder]

Originally Posted by O.city

Tyreek talking today essentially saying he wish he’d have stayed

Tyreek Hill, who's up for NFL Offensive Player of the Year, on the Red Carpet says he still keeps in touch with many of his fomer #Chiefs teammates and coaches -- "I tell the guys congratulations, I'm so proud of you guys, I wish it was kinda me, I'm like the sad little brother." pic.twitter.com/c4gbksLvef

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 9, 2024

I would love to see us keep sneed and jones, I just think Jones's agents will **** everything up like dipshits

[BossChief]

I bet Jones has asked TH if he regrets leaving and he reluctantly said yes.

Those agents are going to **** up negotiations with other teams and kill CJs market.

I hope.

[Ron Swanson]

I can't see the Chiefs dealing much further with Jones' idiot agents. They will probably offer him a fair deal and move on.

[T-post Tom]

I appreciate BV’s optimism. I suspect that CJ will be tagged & traded. Hopefully they’ll be able to let CJ have input on where he lands, as they did with Reek’s trade to the phins. Great way to maintain goodwill with all of the players in a difficult situation. (Basically treat the player opposite of what Carl Petersen would’ve done back in the day. *DT excluded* Dammit Carl! ) Sneed is younger and currently harder to replace despite BV’s continued success in drafting players for the secondary.

[BossChief]

They aren’t going to tag CJ.

Sneed is getting the tag, but I think he could sign an extension before the tag is even needed.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Chris burned a few points with his hold out game and that will work against him. Sneed will get paid.

That’s not what would work against him. He wants Aaron Donald money - $30M a year. He could have stayed with KC by taking about $27M. To establish his worth in the NFL, though, he’s demanding top money. He’ll likely get it, too. Just not from KC.

[frozenchief]

Originally Posted by TribalElder

Tyreek Hill, who's up for NFL Offensive Player of the Year, on the Red Carpet says he still keeps in touch with many of his fomer #Chiefs teammates and coaches -- "I tell the guys congratulations, I'm so proud of you guys, I wish it was kinda me, I'm like the sad little brother." pic.twitter.com/c4gbksLvef

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) February 9, 2024

I would love to see us keep sneed and jones, I just think Jones's agents will **** everything up like dipshits

His leaving paved the way for our defense.

[suzzer99]

I suspect Sneed sets the tone on that defense more than we know. If we extend Sneed, we'd have him and McDuffie locked up for the next three years, pretty much guaranteeing a lock down secondary (barring injury). Good teams don't let stars like that go in their prime w/o getting a haul in return. Pay Sneed!

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Money well spent!

[ThyKingdomCome15]

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

I can't see the Chiefs dealing much further with Jones' idiot agents. They will probably offer him a fair deal and move on.

That sounds very much like the Orlando Brown Jr. situation except Chris has a much stronger case for his salary demands. I agree with you, KC will make a final offer and then it's in CJ95's hands. What you won't have is another embarrassing holdout situation. That in itself is a relief.