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

[Chris Meck]

There's not much Veach could do here to cause me grief, but I'll just say this:

We beat a good Cincinnati team without Sneed for the AFC Championship in '22.

I don't think we win that game if Sneed plays and Jones doesn't.

And watching film of the Super Bowl, man, as good as Sneed is-and he's GREAT, Jones just wrecks everything up front when he's on. And in the playoffs and Super Bowls, you get his max effort.

Love to keep them both, but also see the need for a constant influx of young, cost controlled talent. Standing pat doesn't get it done, is all.

[ForeverIowan]

With how well the Tyreek trade worked out just having a hard time seeing both Jones and Sneed back. Feels like Veach wants some draft picks and cap flexibility to keep this team young. Trade value of both players goes down substantiallly from here on out.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

I mean Hollywood Brown isnt a top 25 receiver in the league. Before AJ Brown went to the Eagles Im not so sure most considered him a top 15 receiver. I hear what youre saying in regards to positional value however.

Correct on Hollywood and AJ. That just goes to show how much more valued WRs are. Sneed is elite and should be paid as such, but it still would be far less than the guys he will be shutting down.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

With how well the Tyreek trade worked out just having a hard time seeing both Jones and Sneed back. Feels like Veach wants some draft picks and cap flexibility to keep this team young. Trade value of both players goes down substantiallly from here on out.

Agree.

I’ve seen some people suggest we should go all in for the 3peat instead of having the long term approach, but the obvious counterpoint is that we just won back to back without going all in.

I trust Veach.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

With how well the Tyreek trade worked out just having a hard time seeing both Jones and Sneed back. Feels like Veach wants some draft picks and cap flexibility to keep this team young. Trade value of both players goes down substantiallly from here on out.

Jones has no trade value though. Sneed does, but I am curious how much value that is.

[Stryker]

It is like the stock market, time to sell! Get the best value for Jones and Sneed and draft accordingly. After back 2 back SB wins, it is time to save cap $$$$ and move forward for the next season. GET WHAT YOU CAN GET! It is about the draft and free agency to position this team for the 2024 season!

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Unless they don’t trust the knee, I’d just really prefer we keep Sneed.

I don’t think it’s gonna take a market setting deal by any means. Verderame said he spoke with a few agents and they projected his market value at 45/3. I’d give him 54/3 and not even think twice.

45/3? Yes, please. Sign me up immediately.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Stryker

It is like the stock market, time to sell! Get the best value for Jones and Sneed and draft accordingly. After back 2 back SB wins, it is time to save cap $$$$ and move forward for the next season. GET WHAT YOU CAN GET! It is about the draft and free agency to position this team for the 2024 season!

We have NEITHER under contract currently. We aren't getting shit unless we tag one of them.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

guys, back to the OP-

I've been thinking a lot about this, and looking over the post game analysis...

I don't think you can sign both Sneed and Jones. I mean, you can, but it's too much of a tread water move. It means you're relying on the draft and dumpster diving.

I have previously been on the sign Sneed train, and let Jonesy walk. (no, you can't realistically tag him.)

I think I'm flipping my thinking here. Here's why:

1)This front office/coaching staff have shown themselves to be exceptional at identifying and developing DB talent.
2)Sneed is great, no question. The knee does seem to be an ongoing thing.
3)If you let Jones walk, you maybe get the comp 3rd depending on who you sign. Maybe you get nothing.
4)If you tag and trade Sneed, you get something in return. And you STILL have a loaded young DB group. We've won big games without Sneed. We haven't without Jones. What would we get? Maybe a 2nd? An extra 2nd is not nothing.

I think Jonesy is still the same guy over a couple to three more years.

I think I'm in the keep Jones, tag and trade Sneed camp.

Doesn't "treading water" in this case imply a Super Bowl roster?

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by O.city

Draft your outside wrs

Value in fa ain’t there

There is uncertainty in the draft.

There is certainty in FA.

We win now. We have Kelce for 1 to 2 more years max. This is it before our Dynasty 2.0 when Mahomes is 33+

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by BWillie

There is uncertainty in the draft.

There is certainty in FA.

We win now. We have Kelce for 1 to 2 more years max. This is it before our Dynasty 2.0 when Mahomes is 33+

Yeah, like trading for Russel Wilson.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Yeah, like trading for Russel Wilson.

We aren't Denver.

I'm thinking more like trading a first round pick and giving a 100m, 60m guaranteed contract to Frank Clark.

[Dante84]

It seems the scenarios Veach can choose from are:

1. Sign Jones; Sign Sneed; No big FA's; Likely a WR in Round 1.
2. Sign Jones; Tag Sneed; No big FA's; Likely a WR in Round 1.
3. Sign Jones; Tag & Trade Sneed for a top 50 pick; 1 big FA; BPA for our 3 top-75 picks.
4. Sign Jones; Let Sneed walk; 1 big FA; Likely a WR in Round 1.
5. Let Jones walk; Sign Sneed; 1-2 big FA's; Likely a WR or DT in Round 1.
6. Let Jones walk; Tag Sneed; 1-2 big FA's; BPA in Round 1.
7. Let Jones walk; Tag & Trade Sneed for a top 50 pick; 2 big FA's; BPA for our 3 top-75 picks.
8. Let Jones walk; Let Sneed walk; Early extend all your other guys; 2 big FA's; BPA for all picks.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Dante84

It seems the scenarios Veach can choose from are:

1. Sign Jones; Sign Sneed; No big FA's; Likely a WR in Round 1.
2. Sign Jones; Tag Sneed; No big FA's; Likely a WR in Round 1.
3. Sign Jones; Tag & Trade Sneed for a top 50 pick; 1 big FA; BPA for our 3 top-75 picks.
4. Sign Jones; Let Sneed walk; 1 big FA; Likely a WR in Round 1.
5. Let Jones walk; Sign Sneed; 1-2 big FA's; Likely a WR or DT in Round 1.
6. Let Jones walk; Tag Sneed; 1-2 big FA's; BPA in Round 1.
7. Let Jones walk; Tag & Trade Sneed for a top 50 pick; 2 big FA's; BPA for our 3 top-75 picks.
8. Let Jones walk; Let Sneed walk; Early extend all your other guys; 2 big FA's; BPA for all picks.

My preference:
I think my favorite two options are #1 & #3, and I'm slightly leaning towards #3 as my favorite.

I wouldn't be mad at #2, but it would give us some work to do next year in the offseason.

What I think happens:
If you asked me before drunk Chris got on the mic at the parade, I would have said #5 is most likely, and I still think it is very likely.

After Sneed's comments on Kay Adams the other day, I can also see #3 or #4(if we don't want cap being tied up in FA) being very likely.

[suzzer99]

Another thought I had on this that makes me lean Sneed if we had to chose:

Chris Jones had one of the best non-Aaron Donald DT seasons ever in 2022, and our defense was top 10-15.

Sneed and McDuffie balled out this year, Jones fell off a little from 2022, and we had a top 2 defense. Spags said Sneed and McDuffie make everything else work. Let's keep that together for 3 more years.

If we can find a way to keep Jones too? Great, I'm all for it.