NFL

Let’s break down the breakdown:

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: A-

Biggest move: Trading CB L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans

Kansas City dealt Sneed for a third-round pick rather than pay him on the franchise tag or sign him to an extension. While the compensation was a bit less than I’d have expected, I don’t fault the Chiefs for making the move. They have to decide where to put their resources, and they have another very good corner in Trent McDuffie and at least received some compensation for Sneed.

The Sneed trade definitely deserves consideration for Kansas City’s “biggest” offseason move, though I think a good argument could be made that it was retaining defensive tackle Chris Jones, which Walder also addresses.

The compensation for Sneed was essentially a 2025 third-round pick, but that had much more to do with his medical status than lack of value. We were able to confirm at least one other team was interested, but was uncomfortable with the cornerback’s health issues.

As great as Sneed is (he showed the ability to lock down the NFL’s best), Kansas City does have a young, budding star in Trent McDuffie, and they have been awfully good at identifying Day 3 contributors. I see three of them — cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (2022), safety Chamarri Conner (2023) and safety Jaden Hicks — carving out roles in 2024.

Move I liked: Signing WR Marquise Brown for $7 million

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl with a major weakness at wide receiver but were smart enough to not try to repeat such a thing. They added Brown — not a superstar but certainly a major upgrade — in free agency on a one-year, $7 million deal. And while I normally criticize draft-day trade-ups, the Chiefs’ move for Xavier Worthy was worthwhile because it was a cheap move and Worthy brings a level of speed the Chiefs need.

The Chiefs’ wide receiver room is no longer a weakness. The question is whether or not it will be a strength. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes seemed especially optimistic about Brown at the conclusion of organized team activities (OTAs) — and although Worthy couldn’t take the field during OTAs due to a lingering hamstring injury, there is no denying his speed.

The presence of both players takes some of the pressure off Rashee Rice — who should still be considered the team’s No. 1 wideout — and allows other solid players like Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman to fall back into more fitting roles.

Move I disliked: The rolling guarantee in DT Chris Jones’ contract

The team recommitted to Jones with a new five-year, $158.75 million contract. Jones has certainly earned it — he finished first or second in pass rush win rate among defensive tackles in each of the past four seasons — but this was a huge contract for a player who turns 30 in July. While it starts with $60 million fully guaranteed, $35 million more is guaranteed for 2026 if he is on the roster in 2025, per ESPN Roster Management.

The team broke somewhat of a longstanding trend when it committed so much money to a 30-year-old. But they did so after watching a player in the same position, Aaron Donald, clinch third place the defensive player of the year award for his age-30 season.

I’m not necessarily saying that Jones has to be (or will be) Donald, but if he puts up similar production to the previous few years (and Kansas City accomplishes a three-peat), it would be difficult to blink at $35 million in 2026, even as Jones likely begins declining.

Offensive tackle remains a question, though Kansas City did add Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the draft, who might be able to start. And finally, an underrated addition is backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who should be a strong insurance option should Patrick Mahomes go down with a short-term injury.

I think Kansas City likes the competition it has created at offensive tackle. In addition, the team has never shied from starting a young player along the offensive line — if they earn it. That has obviously worked out, considering Mahomes has been protected well enough to win three championships over the last five seasons.