Possible Free Agent CB Target for Vikings Signs with Chiefs

The Minnesota Vikings may not be in a hurry to sign a free-agent cornerback, but if they had their eyes on L’Jarius Sneed, they can kiss that idea goodbye. Sneed signed with the team that drafted him six years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs, wiping him off the open market.

Minnesota will either roll with what it has or scour the market for a non-Sneed option.

Vikings CB Board Shrinks after Sneed’s Chiefs Reunion

L'Jarius Sneed answers questions during his introductory Tennessee Titans press conference. — Tennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed speaks with reporters during an introductory press conference after arriving via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran defender discussed expectations, leadership, and his fit within Tennessee’s secondary. Captured on April 2, 2024, the appearance marked the beginning of a new chapter in Sneed’s NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Denny Simmons-The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Sneed to KC

It’s a return to normalcy for Sneed, as ESPN’s Turran Davenport wrote Monday, “The Kansas City Chiefs are signing L’Jarius Sneed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, his agents, the Katz Brothers, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, reuniting the cornerback with the team that drafted him in 2020.

“The Chiefs traded Sneed to the Tennessee Titans in 2024 after placing the franchise tag on him that year. The Titans released Sneed on March 13 of this year in a move that saved the team $11.4 million in salary cap space.”

The Chiefs lost corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason — both to the Los Angeles Rams.

Davenport added, “Sneed, 29, struggled to stay on the field for Tennessee, appearing in 12 games over two seasons. He had signed a four-year, $76 million contract after the Titans acquired him in the trade with the Chiefs.”

“Sneed was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2020. He has 10 interceptions, 43 passes defended and 352 tackles in six NFL seasons.”

Resume for Sneed

Due to injury, Sneed missed 65% of all games in Tennessee, following a productive and largely healthy run in Kansas City from 2020 to 2023. His ideal scenario involves Sneed returning to his form of three years prior.

These are his passing rating allowed numbers in six seasons:

2020: 54.2
2021: 91.9
2022: 85.0
2023: 56.2
2024: 91.8
2025: 120.0

And the Pro Football Focus resume” through six seasons:

2020: 68.4
2021: 63.6
2022: 77.7
2023: 72.5
2024: 36.3
2025: 50.4

He basically went from stellar in 2023 to injured and unproductive in Tennessee, a stereotypical example of getting a fat contract and falling off.

Chiefs New-Look CB Room

Sans McDuffie and Watson, this is Andy Reid’s cornerback unit entering the summer:

Mansoor Delane
Nohl Williams
Kader Kohou
L’Jarius Sneed
Kristian Fulton
Kaiir Elam
Jadon Canady
Melvin Smith Jr.
Zelmar Vedder
Kevin Knowles
D’Arco Perkins-McAllister
Bryce Phillips

Kohou missed all of the 2025 season, but if he can return to form or if Sneed follows suit, the Chiefs’ corners should be in good shape.

L'Jarius Sneed pursues Bills running back Latavius Murray during a playoff game. — Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed closes on Buffalo Bills running back Latavius Murray during an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Highmark Stadium. The physical matchup highlighted Sneed’s coverage ability and run support skills. Photographed on Jan. 21, 2024, the contest helped propel Kansas City toward another postseason run. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.

Arrowhead Addict‘s Matthew Chabot on the Chiefs’ secondary: “Shifting to the rest of the cornerbacks room, the Chiefs made two major investments through the draft. With the sixth overall pick in the draft (and the highest pick the team has held since drafting Patrick Mahomes 10th overall in 2017), the Chiefs added LSU star Mansoor Delane.”

“One of the best coverage corner prospects we have ever seen, Delane will immediately serve as the Chiefs’ top corner in 2026. While Delane was the headline of the Chiefs’ draft, Canady was widely seen as the best coverage slot corner in the draft.”

Delane was actually linked to the Vikings by the mock-draft community in January, but his stock later climbed to high.

Chabot continued, “The Chiefs made investments in coverage corners whom the team felt could hold up in man coverage, and both Delane and Canady bring value in that department. With the team’s high-intensity defense, they will likely rely on both rookies this year to make an impact in 1-on-1 man coverage late in games when Steve Spagnuolo ramps up the blitz.”

“While Delane was the headline of the Chiefs’ draft, Canady was widely seen as the best coverage slot corner in the draft. The Chiefs made investments in coverage corners whom the team felt could hold up in man coverage, and both Delane and Canady bring value in that department.”

Vikings CBs and FA Options

As for the Vikings, these are the cornerbacks for Brian Flores as of June 9th:

Byron Murphy Jr.
Isaiah Rodgers
James Pierre
Charles Demmings
Dwight McGlothern
Zemaiah Vaughn
Da’Veawn Armstead
Marcus Allen
Tyreek Chappell

The group is deeper than last year, mainly because Pierre is more efficient and durable than Jeff Okudah, but in case of injury, Minnesota may want one more depth option. The club turned to Fabian Moreau last season, and despite little acknowledgment from fans, Moreau played quite well.