Breaking: $22 Million Playmaker Choose Vikings as Trade Destination, Insider Reveals

The best cornerback available this offseason, L’Jarius Sneed of the Kansas City Chiefs, is impressed with the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive makeover.

Sneed is interested in playing for the Vikings, especially under Brian Flores, after the Chiefs placed a $19.8 million franchise tag on the standout cornerback in an attempt to trade him, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.

“He’d like to represent Brian Flores.” During an interview on SKOR North’s “Mackey and Judd” podcast on March 19, Wolfson stated, “L’Jarius Sneed would love to be here now.” He went on to say that the Vikings would have to forfeit draft capital and sign Sneed to an agreement that would compete with the best corners in the league.

“You’re not going to get him for a sixth or seventh round (draft) pick; the Chiefs are looking for a pretty decent draft pick.” Well, perhaps you do in the end, but not at this moment, answered Wolfson. And you have to offer him a really big contract. There are a lot of obstacles in the way, but let me tell you this: L’Jarius Sneed really wants to play for the Vikings.

Sneed was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 draft and has made an immediate impression on Kansas City.

Over the previous four seasons, he has participated in every Chiefs postseason game, including two Super Bowl victories, and has started 54 games in his career. He has also recorded 10 interceptions and 40 passes defensed.

Last season, Sneed held opposing quarterbacks to a 66.0 passer rating, the sixth-best rating among NFL corners last season, per Pro Football Focus.

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L’Jarius Sneed’s Uncertain Future With Chiefs, Ideal Fit for Vikings

It was said over the weekend that Sneed’s salary demands prevented a trade between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts.

On a Chiefs radio program, Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame said that Sneed is “sticking to” his $22 million annual asking price in order to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

Sneed, though, has chastised that idea.

In response to Verderame’s claim, Sneed commented, “On my way to work out & the lies I see,” in a since-deleted post on X (previously Twitter).

Given Flores’ standing and Sneed’s compatibility with the Vikings, Sneed might honor his word and drop that demand. For Flores, who has a strong need for defensive players with versatility, he would be a perfect fit.

Considered the defensive chess piece for the Chiefs at cornerback, Sneed is an aggressive blitzer who can play both outside and in the slot. Not to be undervalued given his cover abilities, his 6.5 career sacks since joining the league as a fourth-round pick in 2020 are the most by any cornerback in the previous four seasons.

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Vikings Could Land Sneed for Middle-Round Draft Pick

The Vikings acquired the No. 23 overall pick in a trade with the Houston Texans, so they do not have second- or third-round picks in this year’s draft. However, since Sneed also needs a new contract, they might not need to invest any precious draft capital.

No team has made a second-round selection offer to the Chiefs for Sneed, according to 610 Sports Radio’s Carrington Harrison, who revealed this information on March 18.

Harrison stated that while the Chiefs are cap-constrained at a position where they already have All-Pro Trent McDuffie on a rookie deal, they are “fine” with Sneed staying in Kansas City and playing on the $19.8 million franchise tag for the 2024 season.

A second-round pick seems to be the price to get a deal done overnight, but the Vikings can wait out the situation and perhaps offer a third- or fourth-rounder.