With free agency having slowed down considerably compared to the opening days of the league year, attention will increasingly turn toward the draft. The first week between the two major offseason checkpoints saw a number of notable developments, though. Here is a quick recap of the league’s top stories from the past seven days:
- Chiefs Deal Sneed To Titans: Even before L’Jarius Sneed received the franchise tag, it was expected he would be traded away by the Chiefs at some point. The defending champions made Chris Jones a higher financial priority, and he has a new long-term deal in place. Shortly after reports emerged detailing the hurdles a Sneed contract represented to a Titans acquisition, the veteran corner was indeed dealt to Tennessee. Kansas City received a 2025 third-round pick as compensation, while the teams swapped 2024 seventh-rounders. Upon arrival, Sneed inked a $19MM-per-year extension including $55MM guaranteed to take the place of his tag. The 27-year-old will thus find himself near the top of the cornerback market for the foreseeable future in his new home, while the Chiefs will move forward with their incumbent secondary starters and avoid a Sneed free agent departure in 2025.
- Sutton’s Arrest Warrant Prompts Lions Release: On March 7, an arrest warrant was issued for cornerback Cameron Sutton. One day after that went public, the Lions elected to release Sutton with a post-June 1 designation. The 29-year-old is wanted on a charge of domestic battery by strangulation stemming from an incident in Lutz, Florida. Police are still unable to locate Sutton, who signed a three-year deal with Detroit last offseason. He remained a full-time starter during his debut campaign, but the team (which has already made multiple CB additions this offseason) has a vacancy to fill in the secondary. The guaranteed money on Sutton’s pact will be voided, and Detroit will see $1.5MM in cap savings for this season as a result of the move.
- Browns Extend Jeudy: Jerry Jeudy has yet to play a game for the Browns, but the former first-round receiver already has a three-year extension in place worth up to $58MM. Jeudy is now on the books through 2027, and he will receive $41MM guaranteed at signing. The 24-year-old’s play to date has not matched expectations given his draft stock, but the Browns will attempt to maximize his potential with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Amari Cooper has proven to be an effective lead receiver in Cleveland, but he is under contract for only one more year at the moment. Jeudy will be in place as the team’s No. 2 wideout now and into the future regardless of what happens with Cooper.
- Cardinals, Chargers Open To Trading Down: In consecutive days, both Monti Ossenfort (Cardinals) and Joe Hortiz (Chargers) publicly stated they are willing to trade the fourth and fifth selections in next month’s draft, respectively. Quarterbacks are widely expected to come off the board with the top three picks, and Chicago, Washington and New England are set to retain their places in the order. As such, Arizona and Los Angeles are the top targets for teams looking to maneuver up the order, likely to add the next-best quarterback available. The Cardinals and Chargers each have a need at receiver, and Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers project as the best non-QBs in the 2024 class. It would come as no surprise if either team stayed put to select their preferred wideout, but interest in a swap will no doubt pick up over the coming weeks.
- Williams Chooses Jets: Mike Williams found himself on the market after being cut by the Chargers in a cost-shedding move. The veteran deep threat quickly drew interest from a number of teams, but his Jets visit yielded agreement on a one-year deal. Williams will earn a base value of $10MM, but another $5MM is available via incentives; the prove-it nature of the pact comes as little surprise since the 29-year-old will be coming off a torn ACL in 2024. The Jets will aim to have a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center next season, but upgrades at the receiver spot were a top offseason priority. If Williams can return to his previous 1,000-yard form, his addition will prove to be effective and his 2025 free agent value will see a notable spike.
Wish the steelers would have traded for Sneed
Yeah, given what the Titans gave up for him, Sneed probably could have been had by several teams that would have benefitted from a number one corner. Of course, Sneed himself may have picked Tennessee, but that would have been an interesting pairing in Pittsburgh.