A former Kansas City Chiefs star received a major pay raise with his new team following a much-publicized tag-and-trade this offseason. The Chiefs had to make a few tough decisions on the roster because of cap space as they compete for a threepeat in the 2024 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs made Chris Jones priority No. 1

Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Jones, NFL Free Agency
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs made signing defensive tackle Chris Jones a priority. His paycheck put a burden on Kansas City when they negotiated cornerback L’Jarius Sneed’s salary. Sneed saved a touchdown in February’s Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. He also made big plays against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, and the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Chiefs applied the franchise tag to L’Jarius Sneed

Kansas City Chiefs, L’Jarius Sneed
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) against the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs applied the franchise tag to Sneed but were unable to agree to a long-term deal. Recently, it has come under question whether the Chiefs had good-faith intentions to keep Sneed for the 2024 season. They traded Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for a third-round and seventh-round pick.

There are good reasons for the Chiefs to have traded Sneed now that his asking price has been made public.Ezoic

Sneed got a big bag from the Tennessee Titans

Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Titans signed Sneed to a four-year deal worth $76.4 million, of which $55 million is guaranteed.

Per Over The Cap, the Titans are making Sneed the eighth-highest-paid cornerback in the league. The Chiefs were never going to give Sneed that. Sneed has earned a well-earned pay raise with the Titans.

But it could come at the cost of valuable hardware.