The departure of L’Jarius Sneed has left a hole to cover WR1s in 2024 but the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive back class is planning not to let his absence be felt.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71228673/usa_today_18769349.0.jpg)
The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the outstanding defenses in the NFL last season with the secondary deserving their share of the plaudits.
Steve Spagnulo’s defense stepped up in the face of adversity with their offense struggling to find their consistent rhythm, which had usually been easy since Patrick Mahomes was the starter.
Chiefs’ defensive secondary steps up to the plate while the offense struggled persistently
The Kansas City Chiefs defense conceded the fewest points last season (17.3), and in the regular season when the offense found its groove, they still held strong allowing just 15.7 points per game.
Moreover, they were the youngest defensive group to reach a Super Bowl final and emerge victorious.
The loss of Sneed will be felt on the field especially but also in the corners of the locker room. Sneed was one of the best cornerbacks in the league and was deserving of a handsome payday at the end of his rookie contract.
Worried they could lose Sneed to free agency, the Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the cornerback. The Chiefs traded with the Tennessee Titans for a swap of 2024 seventh-round picks and an additional third-round pick in 2025.
Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt has compared the loss of Sneed to trying to replace basketball legend Michael Jordan in the offseason.
Nonetheless, this now presents an opportunity to the likes of Trent McDuffie, Nazeem Johnson, Jaylen, Watson, and Joshua Williams to fill the hole.
Watson is up for the battle to replace L’Jarius Sneed and claims ‘the best man’ will get it
At the Kansas City Chiefs ring ceremony, Watson spoke to the Kansas City Star about the impact of Sneed’s departure.
“We know what’s at stake and what we have to do… the best man is just gonna win the job.”
Watson is confident in his playmaking ability to step up in 2024 but recognizes there will be a battle in training camp to earn the right to start.
“Man, we could put the world on notice,” Watson explained to the Kansas City Star. “This is the year we could make a name for ourselves. That’s what we all expect to do individually.”
Watson’s 2023 NFL stats, including a vital play in the Super Bowl final
In 2023, the 25-year-old recorded 33 tackles and eight passes defended in coverage. His most notable contribution came in the Super Bowl LVIII final against the San Francisco 49ers where he recovered a muffed punt that set up the offense to score the first touchdown of the game.
The opportunity to replace Sneed would have started at the OTAs and worked its way to mandatory minicamp. Despite there being a pause in training for the summer break, the battle will breathe for a moment, before reigniting during preseason training camp.
