The Kansas City Chiefs have ticked off their final set of May OTAs but Dave Merrit has highlighted the detrimental impact of losing L’Jarius Sneed.
After the Chiefs secured their second successive ring and became the first team to do so since the 2004 New England Patriots, they were met with a crucial decision.
The problem had been brewing since the start of the 2023 season when Chris Jones held out and missed the opening-day defeat due to a contract dispute.
Chiefs decide to keep Chris Jones despite Sneed being desperate to stay
Defensive cornerstone pieces L’Jarius Sneed and Jones were both starring at the possibility of landing in free agency.
Courtesy of limited cap space, the Kansas City Chiefs were forced to choose between both players to sign long-term.
Sneed had been a lockdown corner and had been an irritant for various number-one wide receivers across the league.
Ideally, General Manager Brett Veach would have signed both players but the cap space had prohibited a chance of that.
In the end, their intention was made clear after they presented Sneed with the non-exclusive franchise tag.
Meanwhile, Chris Jones was handed a five-year extension making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.
Sneed was traded to the Tennessee Titans and received his first big paycheque
Sneed was traded to the Tennessee Titans and the Chiefs received an exchange of 2024 seventh-rounders and an additional 2025 third-rounder.
It was a bittersweet moment for Sneed who had hoped to three-peat with the Chiefs in 2024 but also received the payday that he had rightfully earned.
However, the Chiefs are now tasked with filling the void that the 27-year-old has left in the secondary.
Chiefs DB coach Dave Merritt reiterated the challenge of finding Sneed’s replacement.
Dave Merritt makes a bold comparison between Sneed and Michael Jordan
Furthermore, during his OTA media session, Merritt compared the loss of Sneed to trying to find a successor to basketball legend Michael Jordan.
“It’s almost like trying to replace Michael Jordan, but I’m not comparing him to Michael Jordan but that type of skill set that LJ Sneed had… the ability to be able to lockdown a wide receiver that is hard to replace,” Merrit explained to the media.
Sneed may not have the impact that Jordan had on Basketball, but the similarity highlights just how vital the ex-Chief was to their system and success.
The Chiefs may turn their heads to 2023 First-Team All-Pro Trent McDuffie to make the step up to become their CB1.
Steve Spagnuolo will have to use his defensive genius to think of an offseason plan to limit the blow of Sneed’s departure.
Ultimately, the best teams will always find a way to adapt and the Chiefs will have to settle into their new life without their CB1.