With more and more players around the NFL being franchised tagged or not by their teams, the Arizona Cardinals could be in a unique situation as they construct their 2024 roster.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It was just last week when Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon said they were “looking add to good football players everywhere,” sparking speculation as to what that directly entails.
Well, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed could very well be the first piece to that puzzle.
As announced by the Chiefs on X (formerly Twitter), they placed a nonexclusive franchise tag on Sneed. This effectively signs him for next season but leaves the door open for him to speak to other teams before Kansas City can orchestrate a trade.
We have placed the Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag on CB L'Jarius Sneed. pic.twitter.com/xF3XLjlqVk
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) March 4, 2024
However, a new contract could be included in a deal before it would kick in when the new league year starts on March 13. For it to work too, the NFL would have to approve this transaction.
If Sneed plays the 2024 season while under the franchise tag, he would receive a fully guaranteed $19.8 million.
Is Arizona an Option?
Looking at their budget, the Cardinals have over $50 million in cap space to work with and adding an elite player like Sneed could be well worth the price.
The 27-year-old corner is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won the Lombardi Trophy in the past two years (LVII and LVIII).
After becoming the 138th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Sneed has played four seasons (2020-23) as a Cheif. In 57 regular-season games, Sneed has accumulated 303 tackles, 10 interceptions and 40 passes defended.
Arizona currently has cornerbacks Garrett Williams, Andre Chachere, Michael Ojemudia, Darren Hall, Kei’Trel Moore, Qwauntrezz Knight, Starling Thomas V, Divaad Wilson and Quavian White all signed for 2024. Antonio Hamilton is the only one of last seasons’s CB core who is now an unrestricted free agent.
A possible deal to lure Sneed to the Valley would at least take two draft picks for Kansas City to even consider opening discussions.
With this option on the table though, it will be interesting as to if he stays with the Chiefs or heads elsewhere.
The deadline for pending free agents to receive a franchise tag from their team is today at 2 p.m. MST.
If news surrounding the Cardinals breaks, Burn City Sports will keep you up-to-date.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
