An important date is approaching for the Tennessee Titans when it comes to clearing considerable cap space (and taking a loss on what has been a shorter-than-expected stint for a disappointing player). And while the Titans will be glad to get L'Jarius Sneed off the books, it could create an interesting opportunity for teams open to a low-level risk.
Sneed is coming into his third season with the Titans, and the marriage has been a disaster from the start for multiple reasons. The headaches have brought a divorce into view, and Tennessee finally has a way out of the relationship once a new league year begins. That's when Sneed has a massive $7.5 million guarantee due from the Titans (March 15), which is why general manager Mike Borgonzi is going to make the (relatively easy) call to release him before then.
Sneed's release has been expected, but Joel Corry from Over the Cap recently identified Sneed on his list of 15 players who could be cut, bringing things further into focus.
After proving himself to be a lockdown corner by his fourth season in K.C., Sneed was given the franchise tag by the Chiefs before hitting free agency. The pre-Borgonzi Titans bit on the chance to bring him in by sending a third-round choice for his rights, and then signed him to a four-year deal worth up to $76.4M. Unfortunately for Tennessee, Sneed's tenure has been disappointing from the start.
A looming salary cap hit is bringing L'Jarius Sneed's likely release into view for the Tennessee Titans.
Not only has Sneed had an impossible time staying on the field, but legal troubles have clouded his future. Knee and quad injuries have limited him to 12 games in the last two seasons, and when he's been largely ineffective when on the field. To make matters worse, Sneed is facing a civil suit and criminal concerns relating back to a failure to report a shooting (felony), which brought misdemeanor charges.
Sneed is likely off the table for many teams, but the Chiefs' familiarity with him brings the idea of a reunion to the surface. Sneed's ability to serve as an effective physical corner for Steve Spagnuolo's defense in the past plays in his favor. If a physical checked out, it would make sense for K.C. to consider offering him an incentive-laden one-year deal just to see if anything is left in the tank.
The cornerback position is going to be an interesting one to watch this offseason with Trent McDuffie in line for an extension, Jaylen Watson headed for free agency, and Kristian Fulton primed as a candidate to either be released or promoted on the depth chart after a confusing season. Some turnover at the position is expected, which could bring Sneed into view.