The Tennessee Titans have been very active in free agency in the offseason of 2024. General Manager Ran Carthon and new Head Coach Brian Callahan have been making significant moves signing notable players like wide receiver Calvin Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, just to name a few.
However, probably the Titans’ biggest move was made on Friday, March 22, 2024, when news broke that they were trading with the Kansas City Chiefs for star cornerback, L’Jarius Sneed, via Adam Schefter on X.
Trade: Chiefs are finalizing a deal to send franchise CB L’Jarius Snead to the Titans, per league sources.
Chiefs are expected to receive a 2025 3rd-round pick, in addition to a 2024 7th-round pick flop, while Snead will sign a new contract. Trade is pending physical for Sneed. pic.twitter.com/GWjyKAgxZq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2024
For the past few weeks, there have been reports of many different scenarios involving Sneed. There was speculation that the Chiefs were talking to both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans regarding a trade for Sneed. Apparently, complications arose in these talks regarding contract compensation, which basically means what contract he was going to get from whichever team traded for him.
Prior to the trade, there were rumors speculating the details of what the Chiefs and Sneed were struggling with in terms of finding the right suitor for a trade. There was a Kansas City radio show that covered a lot of what was happening.
So listened to the KC Radio Show that had the Sneed/#Titans convo that is making the rounds, took some notes:
The Host said this is what hes hearing:
– KC fine with the tag
– Wants to be highest paid CB
– No team has offered a 2nd round pick
– Feels like $80m is on the table
-…— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) March 19, 2024
Before the trade, Sneed made it crystal clear to both the Chiefs and other teams in the NFL that he wanted to become the highest-paid cornerback in the league, which the Titans were able to accomplish, thus finalizing the trade with the Chiefs.
The Titans, as part of the trade, signed Sneed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league just as he had hoped.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Titans signing CB L'Jarius Sneed to 4-Year, $76M extension, per @Schultz_Report pic.twitter.com/YEPRKel49X
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) March 23, 2024
What this means for Titans defense moving forward
With the addition of Sneed, the Titans’ secondary goes from being a unit that struggled greatly against the pass in 2023 to one that now has significant promise to be one of the best secondaries in the league.
The secondary after acquiring Sneed includes new addition Chidobe Awuzie, Amani Hooker, and Roger McCreary. Awuzie showed great talent during his time with the Cincinnati Bengals while McCreary and Hooker have been key pieces to the Titan defense over the past few seasons. With Sneed now a part of the unit paired with Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry III up front, it could be the beginning of a great defensive era in Tennessee.
After the Sneed trade, the Titans still have about $36 million dollars left in cap space that they can use to acquire more free agents if they so desire.
There are plenty of quality defensive free agents still on the market who could bring even more talent to a defense that continues to get stronger in the 2024 offseason. Some names include former Denver Bronco safety Justin Simmons, former Buffalo Bills cornerback Xavien Howard, or even former Baltimore Raven defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney. Any of these players would bring a significant boost to the Titans’ defensive unit.
Titans’ mentality heading towards NFL draft
The Titans have filled necessary holes in the roster during free agency. Due to this perseverance and quality work, they can now focus on what they can do in the 2024 NFL Draft.
They are capable of completing more free agency signings with the $36 million still available in cap space. Plus, while acquiring Sneed from the Chiefs, they kept their first and second-round 2024 NFL draft picks.
The rumors that are floating around in regards to who they are going to take in the first round seem to point towards offensive lineman Joe Alt out of Notre Dame which would help continue to rebuild an offensive line that struggled massively in the 2023 season.
However, there are reports and speculation that the Titans could be leaning toward drafting a receiver or even a generational talent in tight end Brock Bowers out of Georgia.
Seems like someone might be in two tone blue later on this year.👀 pic.twitter.com/lgL8XfUcRn
— Titans Colosseum Podcast (@TitansCPodcast) March 23, 2024
With the acquisition of Sneed, the Titans are set up to achieve exceptional progress in the rebuild of their defense and overall team. The 2024 season cannot get here fast enough.
For more information/speculation on the Tennessee Titans, follow joshua_shoop on X!
