Fresh off their Super Bowl LVIII win, the Kansas City Chiefs are determined to keep their championship defense intact. General manager Brett Veach is working diligently to retain defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who played crucial roles in the team's successful campaign.

With the nonexclusive franchise tag placed on Sneed before the deadline, the Chiefs have secured control over his future. The one-year deal is valued at $19.8 million, ensuring that Sneed remains a vital part of the defense for the upcoming season. However, this move also means that the team can no longer prevent Jones from entering the open market.

Nevertheless, there is a sense of "growing optimism" at Arrowhead Stadium that the Chiefs will be able to sign Jones to a long-term contract extension before free agency begins. Veach recently met with Jones' agents, Jason and Michael Katz, to discuss a potential deal. Jones, an All-Pro defensive tackle, is eyeing an average annual salary of $30 million, which would make him the second-highest paid player in his position, next to Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.

Insiders speculate that Kansas City would need to offer Jones a salary between $27 million and $28 million per year to secure his long-term commitment. His market value is estimated to be around $28.4 million annually, according to Spotrac.

The Chiefs, however, face a potential salary cap challenge, with only $9.6 million available in cap space. In a bid to free up more funds, the team recently parted ways with veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, creating an additional $12 million in cap space. But further measures will be necessary to meet Jones' financial demands.

One likely scenario is converting a significant portion of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' salary into a signing bonus, allowing the Chiefs to allocate more cap space for Jones. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reports that the team is open to trading Sneed if an agreement for a contract extension cannot be reached, freeing up additional cap space for Jones.

L'Jarius Sneed showcased his prowess in coverage during the 2023 season, not allowing a single touchdown as the nearest defender on 90 targets, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Meanwhile, Jones earned first-team All-Pro honors in the same season, leading the Chiefs with 10.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits.

As the Chiefs embark on defending their title, keeping both Jones and Sneed will require some salary cap maneuvering. However, the team remains optimistic about securing long-term deals for these key defensive pillars prior to the start of free agency on March 11th.