Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed Released By Tennessee Titans In a Cap-Clearing Move
After two injury-plagued seasons, the Tennessee Titans have officially cut ties with Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news earlier today that Tennessee informed Sneed’s agents of their decision to release him.
By cutting Sneed, the Titans free up $11.4 million in cap space for 2026, with an $8.1 million dead cap charge attached. Looking ahead to 2027, they’ll save an additional $16.4 million with a $4.1 million dead cap hit. In the NFL, money talks, and right now, it’s telling Sneed to pack his bags.
How the Sneed Era in Tennessee Went So Sideways
Let’s rewind to 2024, when the Titans swung a trade to bring Sneed to Nashville. At the time, it felt like a real statement move. Sneed was fresh off back-to-back Super Bowl wins with the Kansas City Chiefs and had been one of the more disruptive corners in the league. He was 27, in his prime, and had the kind of championship pedigree that franchises dream about adding to their locker room.
The Titans were hopeful. The fans were excited. And then… injuries happened. Over two seasons in Tennessee, Sneed suited up for just 12 games total. In 2025, he managed to stay healthy enough to play in seven contests, finishing with 26 tackles and 3 passes defensed. That’s not exactly the stat line of a player earning a hefty contract. For a defense desperately trying to rebuild its identity, Sneed’s tenure became a frustrating case of what could have been.
Sneed’s Career: The Bigger Picture
It would be wrong to write off Sneed entirely based on his Tennessee chapter. The guy has had a legitimate NFL career. Drafted in the fourth round back in 2020, he quietly developed into one of the more underrated corners in the game. Over 69 career games, he’s racked up 43 passes defensed and 10 interceptions.
His two Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs aren’t going anywhere either. That kind of résumé carries real weight when 31 other teams start making phone calls this offseason. Sneed is 29 years old, which in cornerback years is right around the age where some guys start to decline, and others find a second wind. The question every interested team will be asking is simple: Can he stay on the field?
What This Means For the Titans Moving Forward
The Titans aren’t standing still this offseason. Under new Head Coach Robert Saleh, Tennessee is clearly in full roster-overhaul mode. Between new uniforms, a fresh coaching staff, and a flurry of free agency moves, this organization looks like it’s trying to hit a hard reset.
Releasing Sneed fits neatly into that narrative. The $11.4 million in savings gives General Manager Mike Borgonzi more ammunition to keep reshaping the roster. The Titans have already been busy — reports indicate they’re committing $105 million to two cornerbacks, so it’s not like they’re leaving the position bare. They’re simply moving on from an expensive experiment that never got off the ground.
Where Does Sneed Land Next?
This is the fun part. Sneed hitting free agency at 29, with Super Bowl rings and legitimate tape from his Chiefs days, is going to generate real interest around the league. Teams in need of a veteran corner presence will at least pick up the phone.
Whether he gets a big deal or has to settle for a prove-it contract is the real story to watch. If he can stay healthy, he has the talent to remind people why Kansas City valued him so much. If the injury trend continues, this could quietly become the twilight chapter of a promising career.
Either way, his time with the Titans is done. Two years, 12 games, and a whole lot of cap space later, both sides are moving on.
