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

[pugsnotdrugs19]

To be clear, I think a trade is 1000% where this is headed

An offer is just procedural

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

To be clear, I think a trade is 1000% where this is headed

An offer is just procedural

Agree. Worst case you have sneed for a shot at the 3peat.

[Gary Cooper]

What does this defense look like without Jones next year?

Are they picking several DTs in the draft? Who else is available in free agency?

I'd hate to lose Sneed but I figured they can't keep both him and McDuffie long term. Jones is irreplaceable on this current roster at DT.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Gary Cooper

What does this defense look like without Jones next year?

Are they picking several DTs in the draft? Who else is available in free agency?

I'd hate to lose Sneed but I figured they can't keep both him and McDuffie long term. Jones is irreplaceable on this current roster at DT.

They spent their 2 last 1st round picks on DL and spent the biggest FA contract on defense on Omenihu.


If the offense isn't pop gun well be fine with Sneed and no Jones.

[Sofa King]

Well that changes things. No way we keep them both now. Goddamnit

[TwistedChief]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

They spent their 2 last 1st round picks on DL and spent the biggest FA contract on defense on Omenihu.


If the offense isn't pop gun well be fine with Sneed and no Jones.

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.

[Red Dawg]

We may lose both. We don't have a history of making any player highest paid but Mahomes. Sneed for sure wants highest paid and Jones 30 mil per year for sure. Sneed is getting traded most likely and if Jones is getting close to being an FA. Only a few days before teams can legally talk to him if they haven't already. I think they both will be gone. We have a ton of FAs and younger ones next year we want to keep.

[Red Dawg]

Only like two players not QBs get over 30 mil per year.

[MahomesMagic]

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 have always said I prefer an offensive build but that you can win with

a Balanced Build

a Defense Build


Just seems the defense/bad offense build is harder and doesn't max our best asset, Mahomes.

[TwistedChief]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

I have always said I prefer an offensive build but that you can win with

a Balanced Build

a Defense Build


Just seems the defense/bad offense build is harder and doesn't max our best asset, Mahomes.

And I agree with this. I think we're losing Sneed and/or Jones and very possibly both, and given that defense year to year is less predictable in success than offense, it's better this offseason to focus on re-tooling the offense and hope we can cobble together a top 15-20 defense than what we saw last year.

It's going to mind**** a lot of the fanbase when they chant Spags' name as the savior but he doesn't have the same talent as last year and the defense is mortal. But when we counter that with a more powerful offense, it all comes back to putting the best team on the field given the risks and constraints presented to you.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by TwistedChief

And I agree with this. I think we're losing Sneed and/or Jones and very possibly both, and given that defense year to year is less predictable in success than offense, it's better this offseason to focus on re-tooling the offense and hope we can cobble together a top 15-20 defense than what we saw last year.

It's going to mind**** a lot of the fanbase when they chant Spags' name as the savior but he doesn't have the same talent as last year and the defense is mortal. But when we counter that with a more powerful offense, it all comes back to putting the best team on the field given the risks and constraints presented to you.

I think all we need is 1 of these (12-20 million)

Ridley
Hollywood
Mooney
Samuel

and 2 of these types in FA (5 million average)

Slayton
Noah Brown
Devin Duvernay

Then ideally for the future add a 1st round WR but that is not needed to 3Peat, but to cover for Kelce aging out next year or the year after.

Grab an athletic tackle to compete with Wayne like the Yale guy in the 2nd.

As long as Kelce continues that brings us back to #1.

Maybe add Pollard as Pacheco insurance at 7-9 million.

[RunKC]

They are really gonna get Chris Jones done in the next 2 weeks aren't they?

The Chiefs have in fact let L’Jarius Sneed know the franchise tag is on the table but they are still hoping to work on a long term deal. As for a new contract for Chris Jones? I’m told the Chiefs are focused on getting it done.
Still some time.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 27, 2024

[BossChief]

If we can get a first (or an equivalent) for Sneed, while keeping Jones…that will really catapult us and open up a ton of options for Veach.

If it weren’t for depth at the position, I’d be in the sign both camp…but Williams and Watson are good enough to play opposite McDuffie at a competent of maybe even plus level. It’s perfect allocation of resources to take the plus value at CB and use it to invest at areas of weakness on offense.

We need a bunch of skill position guys.

Cant go into next year with Rice, Kelce and Pacheco again.

Gotta put 2-3 more weapons out there for Pat to grow with in his prime years.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we can get a first (or an equivalent) for Sneed, while keeping Jones…that will really catapult us and open up a ton of options for Veach.

If it weren’t for depth at the position, I’d be in the sign both camp…but Williams and Watson are good enough to play opposite McDuffie at a competent of maybe even plus level. It’s perfect allocation of resources to take the plus value at CB and use it to invest at areas of weakness on offense.

We need a bunch of skill position guys.

Cant go into next year with Rice, Kelce and Pacheco again.

Gotta put 2-3 more weapons out there for Pat to grow with in his prime years.

Agree


If for some reason we can't get Jones done, Veach has a stack of cash available to do a rebuild, even more if he opts to trade Sneed. For example, if you lose Jones, Veach add someone like Christian Wilkins at DT. Veach has a ton oof flexibility.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Agree


If for some reason we can't get Jones done, Veach has a stack of cash available to do a rebuild, even more if he opts to trade Sneed. For example, if you lose Jones, Veach add someone like Christian Wilkins at DT. Veach has a ton oof flexibility.

Ravens almost have no choice but to tag Madubuike but man, what a replacement that guy would be. A true zero technique with legit pass rush ability.

He's almost as rare as Jones in what he brings to the table.