KC Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed Keeping Chip on Shoulder Despite Stellar Season
In the 2023-24 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense has produced plenty of terrific success stories. Perhaps the most resounding one is the progression of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed from quality defensive chess piece to lockdown boundary option.
Despite being limited during training camp due to injury and popping up on the team's injury report throughout the regular season, Sneed battled through the discomfort and played in 17 of 18 possible games thus far. From Weeks 1-17, the fourth-year man recorded 78 tackles, a career-best 14 passes broken up and a pair of interceptions. His performance in coverage and as a tackler has been nothing short of top-flight.
Although Sneed's numbers and tape are equally excellent, he didn't make the Pro Bowl and was also snubbed from All-Pro teams for this season. Speaking to the media on Thursday, the former fourth-round pick said he still has a chip on his shoulder.
"You know, I think I still have more work to do," Sneed said. "They're steady sleeping on me, so I've still got a point to prove."
Even with his mindset, there's very little Sneed should have to prove to anyone. He's consistently beaten the odds since coming to Kansas City, even pulling off the transition from safety to cornerback with ease. He's managed to thrive out of the slot, on the outside and as a "shadow" style corner. This year, he surrendered just a 56.2 passer rating in coverage with a career-low 51% completion percentage when targeted. Opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers simply didn't find success against him.
This breakout to stardom came at a perfect time for Sneed. Set to turn 27 on the day the Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, this is a contract year for him. By all accounts, he'll command a significant multi-year deal once the offseason rolls around. OverTheCap's injury-adjusted valuation estimates that he's worth an average annual salary of $15.7 million, with Spotrac putting him at $11.8M. Either mark would surely be a nice bargain for Kansas City, as the former mark would rank 10th among all cornerbacks and the latter would be 16th. Sneed, playing above that hypothetical pay grade, is more focused on keeping his head down and continuing to work.
"I wouldn't say it's all about the payday," Sneed said. "I've been facing challenges all my life. It's always been like this for me, I've always had to prove myself [and] always been the underdog. You know, it's just something that I've always been doing my whole entire life, and I'm going to continue to do it. [It will] keep me hungry."
One of the new tasks Sneed's taken on this season is perhaps the gutsiest and most challenging thing a cornerback can do. The conversations between Sneed and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo before the season led to the Lousiana Tech product following opposing No. 1 wideouts in 2023-24. The players he's limited include Calvin Ridley, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Davante Adams and Ja'Marr Chase.
Bills star Stefon Diggs is also on that list. In Week 14's meeting between Kansas City and Buffalo, the three-time Pro Bowler and 2020 All-Pro was held to just four receptions on 11 targets for 24 yards. Sneed played a major part in that lack of success, and he'll have to do the same this weekend if the Chiefs want to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Sneed thinks highly of Diggs, referring to him as one of the best.
"He's a great receiver," Sneed said. "Smart, great route runner, hard-working. And I think that's why he's been one of the top receivers in the league."
With Sunday drawing near, he isn't backing down.
"He's definitely a talker," Sneed said. "I am too, though."
