Reporters Update (and Disagree) on Latest Details of L'Jarius Sneed Trade Saga
The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly been open about their willingness to take trade offers for star cornerback L'Jarius Sneed since late February, but as the end of March approaches, Sneed remains a Chief with no apparent major status changes in the last three weeks.
On Monday, three NFL reporters provided different status updates on the potential Sneed trade market, with key disagreements on the status of negotiations with the Indianapolis Colts.
Going chronologically through Monday's reports, Dianna Russini of The Athletic joined The Athletic Football Show to discuss why the potential Sneed trades stalled out.
"Well, I had my tweet up, ready to go, because I really thought it was gonna get done last week," Russini said. "The Tennesee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts were really close on getting deals done. This was before the Calvin Ridley move was made by Tennesee. I don't think all trade talks are dead involving Sneed now, with Kansas City. Do I believe that it's gonna be Tennesee? I think chances are obviously smaller now. Being able to pay Sneed on a new contract, because he does want a new deal obviously, and that appears to be the hold-up of trying to iron that out. So, the conversations are going to continue and I do think if there's gonna be more movement, we're gonna see it a little bit closer to the draft."
Host Robert Mays asked Russini if she believed that the Colts were still the most likely landing spot if Sneed were to be traded. Russini said she does believe the Colts are still the most likely destination after noting that the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings were both interested but now seem unlikely to complete a deal.
"I do think when it comes down to it, I think the Colts are probably the front-runner on it, but I know the Tennesee Titans were really close to getting that trade done," Russini said.
Later Monday, Stephen Holder, Colts and NFL reporter for ESPN tweeted a thread on Twitter/X detailing his view of the Colts' process and why the chances of a Sneed trade have "plummeted."
Ok, I'll bite. Here is what happened: The Colts were talking to Danielle Hunter and contemplating a Sneed trade EARLY last week. When neither materialized, they moved on with their original plan: Re-signing their own players. Over $200m total in contracts.
It was always unlikely that they would do both (i.e. acquire Hunter or Sneed AND be able to re-sign everyone). So, once they committed to the re-signings, the likelihood of any other big acquisition plummeted. That's where we are now and have been for the past 5/6 days.
Further evidence: There is a reason Michael Pittman Jr was re-signed last Monday. He was going to be here regardless. When it came to the remaining re-signings, they were going to take them case by case depending on what other moves they made.
Hope this adds some needed clarity.
Adding another wrinkle to the mix, Adam Schefter of ESPN joined The Pat McAfee Show on Monday and said the trade conversations never even began.
"They haven't had any conversation, the Chiefs and the Colts," Schefter began. "The two sides, quote-unquote, 'haven't had any conversations.' Colts and Chiefs."
Pressed by McAfee, Schefter clarified further.
"100%. Not happening," Schefter began. "Now, could that change? Could that change? Sure. But, no, that's not happening."
Does Schefter believe that Sneed could stay in Kansas City for 2024?
"The Chiefs have no problems right now playing with him on that tag," Schefter said. "He wants a long-term deal, so it's up to him and his agent to see if they can help broker a deal and structure something to get him the long-term security that he wants, but no, nothing, right now, has gotten done. The Colts are not expected to be in on him, the Colts and Chiefs have not discussed a deal for L'Jarius Sneed, at least to date, could that change, you never know, you never know, but nothing, no conversation between those two teams, and that's where we're at right now."
Where is the truth in the L'Jarius Sneed trade rumors?
Those are the reports. From here on, this is personal speculation without any significant additional information. (Deep breaths, everyone.)
Schefter's report clashes so significantly with Russini's (and others that have connected the Chiefs and Colts) that it feels a bit misleading. Even with Holder's brake-pumping analysis, he acknowledges that the Colts were "contemplating" a Sneed deal early last week. Does that mean that general managers Brett Veach and Chris Ballard personally sat down and hammered out the details of a potential deal? Certainly not. Does it mean that someone in the Colts organization communicated with someone in the Chiefs organization to get a feel for what a deal could entail? I'd certainly think so. Could Schefter, Holder, and Russini all be technically correct? Perhaps. But if Russini's reporting has been accurate throughout this process, Schefter's rebuttal paints a nothing-to-see-here picture that doesn't quite fit the reporting from others to this point.
There have also been reports about Sneed's contract demands being the hold-up. Could the Colts have gotten bad news about Sneed's asking price without ever having legitimate interest in Sneed's trade market? What about Holder's specific report that he "was told the Chiefs are being reasonable. The bigger question is whether anyone can come to terms with Sneed on a contract." So, theoretically, the Colts had an idea of what the Chiefs would want in return? As in, they were interested enough to get a trade cost from the Chiefs?
What does any of that mean for Sneed's next potential steps? Sources say your guess is as good as mine.
