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

[staylor26]

Don't think we bring both back, but one of them will be for sure.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Still reads to me like "we love Chris, we will try to re-sign Chris, we aren't breaking our budget or price for him."

[Monticore]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Still reads to me like "we love Chris, we will try to re-sign Chris, we aren't breaking our budget or price for him."

Pat just needs to get him in a few commercials to make up for any pay gaps.

[ModSocks]

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

Code for: We can't keep them both.

[Dunerdr]

Things you have to say before a super bowl for 500 Alex. No chance Jones makes it back imo unless hes willing to play for less than what he believes his market to be.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Still reads to me like "we love Chris, we will try to re-sign Chris, we aren't breaking our budget or price for him."

Yep. Just offer him the same deal from last offseason and if he takes it, great. If not, we'll see what happens with Sneed and go forward accordingly.

[tyton75]

Sneed should be the priority, for sure.

[HonestChieffan]

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

[DRM08]

Jones is like Tyreek & Orlando. He's a goner. Hopefully they can keep Sneed.

[Hammock Parties]

Chiefs have 44 players under contract for 2024 and $24MM in cap room.

$34MM if they cut MVS.

$41MM if they cut Justin Reid.

I think they cut MVS, sign Sneed long term, say goodbye to Chris and use the other $14MM to shore up the roster.

Either way say goodbye to Tranquil, Danna, Gay and probably Mike Edwards and Donovan Smith. They're all gonna be too expensive.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Sneed is getting the tag so he isn't going anywhere for at least another year.

[Couch-Potato]

**** YEAH!!!

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Chiefs have 44 players under contract for 2024 and $24MM in cap room.

$34MM if they cut MVS.

$41MM if they cut Justin Reid.

I think they cut MVS, sign Sneed long term, say goodbye to Chris and use the other $14MM to shore up the roster.

Either way say goodbye to Tranquil, Danna, Gay and probably Donovan Smith. They're all gonna be too expensive.

Patrick will get his deal restructured to some extent too at least. Probably at least + $10 million.

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Chiefs have 44 players under contract for 2024 and $24MM in cap room.

$34MM if they cut MVS.

$41MM if they cut Justin Reid.

I think they cut MVS, sign Sneed long term, say goodbye to Chris and use the other $14MM to shore up the roster.

Either way say goodbye to Tranquil, Danna, Gay and probably Mike Edwards and Donovan Smith. They're all gonna be too expensive.

Reid seems good enough to keep on the team, unless they want to give his money to someone like Tranquil.