Chiefs use franchise tag on CB Sneed, future still unclear
KANSAS CITY, MO. >> The Kansas City Chiefs placed the franchise tag on L’jarius Sneed on Monday, though it is uncertain whether that means one of the top cornerbacks due to hit free agency will remain with the Super Bowl champions next season.
The Chiefs entered the offseason with Sneed and All-pro defensive tackle Chris Jones preparing to hit free agency, and general manager Brett Veach made it clear that he hoped to keep both of them. But the tag number of $19.8 million for Sneed is far more palatable than the roughly $32 million that would be owed to Jones, making the choice between the players an easy one.
The deadline to use the franchise tag is Tuesday.
Now comes the hard part: Will the Chiefs be able to work out a long-term contract with Jones after failing to do so the previous two offseasons, and can they likewise sign Sneed to a lengthy deal that would lower his salary cap number?
The more likely scenario is that the Chiefs, who used the non-exclusive tag that allows Sneed to talk with other teams, would try to trade him for draft capital.
That would give the Chiefs financial flexibility to keep Jones on the team while addressing several of their more pressing concerns, including openings at left tackle and wide receiver.
The Chiefs have used the franchise tag six times over the past decade, and in three of those cases, they worked out a long-term deal. Only one time did they trade a player. That was pass rusher Dee Ford, whom K.C. sent to the 49ers for a second-round pick — while also landing Frank Clark.
Source: Evans agrees to a 2-year, contract
TAMPA, FLA.>> There’s a chance Mike Evans will play his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Instead of testing his worth in free agency this winter, the team’s career receiving leader has agreed to a two-year, $52 million contract to remain with the club that drafted him seventh overall in 2014, a person familiar with the deal told AP on Monday.
Evans, 30, is Tampa Bay’s career leader in receptions (762), yards (11,680) and touchdowns (94).
Bears trade for Bills’ Bates
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.>> The Chicago Bears finally landed offensive lineman Ryan Bates.
The Bears have agreed to trade a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for the 27-year-old Bates. The move is pending a physical, and it won’t become official until the start of the NFL’S new business year on March 13.
Chicago tried to acquire Bates when he was a restricted free agent in 2022, signing him to an offer sheet. But the Bills retained Bates by matching the Bears’ $17 million, four-year contract offer.
Bates is entering his sixth NFL season.
Vikings release Mattison
MINNEAPOLIS>> The Minnesota Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison, with the club continuing to seek solutions to a lagging rushing attack.
Mattison was coming off an unremarkable first season as the primary ball carrier and lost the starting job to Ty Chandler for the last four games. Mattison rushed for a career-high 700 yards and had three receiving touchdowns.