A recent report by Tyler Dragon at USA Today has revealed the Minnesota Vikings as on of a handful of teams who are interested in newly-turned 27-year-old L’Jarius Sneed. Drafted by the Chiefs the same year as Justin Jefferson (2020), Sneed has already secured two Super Bowl victories and proved himself as one of the best CBs in football.

As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs officially placed the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed still has permission to seek a trade despite the designation. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have expressed interest in the Chiefs corner. The person told USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Tyler Dragon – USA Today

Dragon notes in his report that Sneed is seen by NextGen Stats as one of the best zone cover cornerbacks in the league, allowing just four yards per target and ZERO touchdowns while playing zone last season.

Minnesota Vikings interested in Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed

Sneed played college football at Louisiana Tech and he’s coming into his own at the perfect time. His rookie contract is now expired and L’Jarius wants to cash in on a life-changing contract. But the franchise tag allows Kansas City more time to shop him on the trade market or find common ground on a long-term deal.

Not only that, but the franchise tag completely shifts negotiating power between Sneed and the Chiefs. Instead of impending free agency hanging over the team’s head, it’s a franchise tag hanging over the cornerback’s head.

Related: Mike Florio Reveals Julie and Kirk Cousins as His Sources; Triples Down on Recent Reporting

Playing for $20 million this season, the cost of a franchise tag at the cornerback position in 2024, isn’t so bad though. In other words, trading for Sneed would hit the Vikings twice. They’d have to come up with the trade chips to entice the Chiefs AND pay him when he gets here.

Sneed Would Boost Vikings Defense

Nonetheless, the Minnesota Vikings are in dire need of cornerback help, and L’Jarius Sneed would be a life-changing addition for Brian Flores and his defense. With Akayleb Evans and Byron Murphy Jr. currently holding top spots on the depth chart, Sneed would immediately step into a CB1 role, pushing those two down into a slot where they look a lot better. A high end addition like Sneed could be the quick fix to a Vikings secondary that looked like it was on life support entering the offseason.

Related: Local Insiders Suggest PFT’s Mike Florio is Being Played by Kirk Cousins and His Agent

During his 54 regular season appearances, Sneed has tallied 10 interceptions and 40 passes defended, often tasked with covering the opposing team’s top wide receiver. He was ranked sixth overall on NFL.com’s list of the top 101 free agents and was ranked the #1 CB available before being franchise tagged.

What an insane play by L’Jarius Sneedpic.twitter.com/9thQSH9Vpt

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) January 28, 2024

All eyes on Vikings vs Chiefs on Sunday

But no matter how things unfold at U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend, one thing is sure to be true. A lot of people will be watching. 506Sports.com releases a broadcast map leading up to every Sunday and, in week 5, most of the country (about 3/4) will see Vikings vs Chiefs on their local CBS affiliate starting at 3:25 p.m. CDT.

When most of the nation is watching, you get the big money broadcast crew. That will be the case on Sunday, as well, when CBS sends Tony Romo ($18M/YR) and Jim Nantz ($6.5M/YR) to the US Bank Stadium TV booth.

Kansas City Chiefs first time at U.S. Bank Stadium

According to the Vikings weekly media guide, this will be the first time the Kansas City Chiefs have played at U.S. Bank Stadium. They are the last NFL team to play a road game at the 7-year-old state of the art facility.

Related: Vikings Defense Saves Season vs Panthers; Offense Finds Rushing Attack

The Minnesota Vikings enter week 5 ranked (YPG) 9th in offense and 20th in defense. Kansas City ranks 5th in offense and 8th in defense. The Vikings have been one of the most prolific passing attacks in the NFL but have struggled, outside of week 4, to establish the run.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, rank near the top of the league in both passing and rushing offense. Not only that, but their defense has been one of the most dominant out there, early in the season. They’ve forced 4 lost fumbles, through four games. That’s good for 7th in the league.

Minnesota Vikings must fix turnover problems to stand a chance

I don’t have to remind anyone reading this blog how fumble heavy the Minnesota Vikings have been early this season. They will need to fix that in week 5.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Threatens to Bench Vikings Players Who Can’t Hold onto the Football

The Vikings kept games close in the first three weeks, despite their turnover problems, and they even pulled a win out in Carolina, after an early Kirk Cousins interceptions went 99 yards the other way for a Panthers score. Minnesota will not hang with Kansas City this weekend, if they cough up the football.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Problem is, the Chiefs are coming off of a Super Bowl season and they enter the matchup with the mirror opposite record of 3-1. Not to mention, they have the best quarterback in football — Kirk Cousins’ co-star in the Netflix series “Quarterback” — Patrick Mahomes.

Related: Vikings Defense Saves Season vs Panthers; Offense Finds Rushing Attack

Travis Kelce + Taylor Swift take center stage in Kansas City

It isn’t the Chiefs QB, however, who’s been on the minds of, not just football fans, but anyone without their head in the pop culture sand. Mahomes’ most trusty receiver and the league’s best tight end, Travis Kelce, is everywhere lately.

How do you overshadow your own teammate, when that teammate is on track to become the greatest football player in NFL history? Easy, you become Taylor Swift’s new love interest and have her start sitting in box suites at both your home and away games.

Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce at MetLife Stadium for Travis Kelce’s game last night pic.twitter.com/D1NOluP5zi

— Ivan (@Ivankalema01) October 2, 2023

The world’s biggest music superstar has now sat in a suite with Kelce’s mom, along with movie stars like Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. So, with the Chiefs coming to US Bank Stadium on Sunday, everyone wants to know if Taylor Swift is going to be in Minneapolis to watch Kelce play for the 3rd-straight week.

Byron Murphy Jr’s bold Taylor Swift trash talk strategy

We’ll all know the answer to such mysteries soon enough but there’s one Minnesota Vikings player who hopes she is. Byron Murphy Jr met with reporters on Monday and opened up about his desire to have Swift in the stadium on Sunday so she can watch the Vikings ‘try to get their hands on him in front of her’…? r”

“Oh man, the social media is going crazy,” Murphy said when asked about the league’s embrace of the Swift-Kelce storyline. “And I’m not hating against it. That’s the world we’re living in. Is she going to come to this game? We’re locked in, but that would be something. I’ve been watching her since I was a kid. That would be cool, for sure. Not for him, because we’re going to try to get our hands on him in front of her.”

Byron Murphy Jr (via Kevin Siefert – ESPN)

Intimidated by that Murphy’s trash talk? Get used to it, he says. Byron’s been working on Taylor Swift related trash talk that he’s sure will do the trick vs Kelce this weekend: “I’m going to say something to him to get him going.”

Related: Check Your Eyes: Vikings Offensive Line Grades Out as One of NFL’s Best Through 3 Weeks

Oh yes, I’m sure that will 100% work. Because Kelce hasn’t already played in and won multiple Super Bowls, or already played multiple weeks with her up in the booth, right? This is 100% guaranteed to backfire.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The devastation is expected to be widespread and Tampa, the site of Sunday Night Football this week, sits directly in its path. According to a report from Kevin Seifert (ESPN), the NFL has chosen US Bank Stadium as the relocation site for Bucs vs Chiefs, should that be necessary.

The NFL has selected U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as the contingency site for Sunday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, league executive vice president Jeff Miller confirmed Wednesday. — Kevin Seifert (ESPN)

What are the chances?

The current radar doesn’t look goof for Tampa. They stand directly in the eye’s crosshairs, over then next 12-24 hours. Even if the stadium is in good enough shape to play (doubtful), how is the infrastructure and production needed for SNF going to be put in place?

Don’t buy your tickets yet. But if you’re a Bucs or Chiefs fan living near the Twin Cities, you should keep your Sunday evening open. Prayers up for those on the Gulf Coast tonight.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Former Vikings’ Head Coach, Brad Childress, is expected to announce his retirement from the NFL.

The 61 year-old spent the last few years working with Andy Reid as an assistant coach for the Chiefs. With the KC’s season ending after Saturday’s loss to the Titans, Childress is deciding to walk away from his near 40 year tenure as a football coach.

Report: Brad Childress planning to retire https://t.co/AvGbzP0J8I pic.twitter.com/ZGBxGT3zEf

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 8, 2018

It’s interesting how Childress was only a couple plays away from taking Minnesota to the Super Bowl. If that NFC Championship game vs. the Saints ended differently, this topic would be front page news. Unfortunately for him, we’re getting prepared to avenge that loss, with a different head coach. In regards to Childress, my life would be better off if he… ah, nevermind.

It’s not really socially acceptable to blast someone when their about to retire. We’re here to celebrate our former coaches’ career. If you think this article needed more pop-shots at Childress, I like your passion. Please, save it for Sean Payton.

Brad Childress cut his teeth coaching football in the college ranks. After climbing that ladder for about a dozen years, he found himself as the running backs coach for Wisconsin. Childress was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1994 and coached legendary college RB Ron Dayne for three seasons.

Childress’ time in the NFL began just like it is now ending; alongside Andy Reid. His first NFL experience came working with Reid, Donavon McNabb, and the Eagles. After his time in Philly (1999-2005), as a QB coach and offensive coordinator, Childress got his first career head-gig, and it was with the Minnesota Vikings.

His tenure as the leader of Skol Nation lasted from 2006-2010. That four and a half-year run was highlighted with the previously mentioned NFC Championship game. As for his time with the Vikings as a whole, Minnesotans can visit ValleyFair if they want that many roller-coaster rides. Childress finished his NFL head coaching career with a record of 40-37 (includes playoffs) before being fired and replaced by Leslie Frazier, before a disastrous 2010 season even ended.

From there, he took a little bit of time off from football. However, he got his foot back in the door with the Pat Shurmur and the Browns, as their OC in 2012. Childress smartly got the hell out of there, after one season, and re-connected with Andy Reid.

As for Andy Reid, It’s been a Monday of all Mondays…. The Punt, Pass, and Kick legend is currently recovering from a playoff defeat, losing his OC to the Bears head coaching vacancy, and now his old buddy Childress is retiring.

That’s three strikes. I hope he left the office early. The big fella had to have needed a drink… or eleven.

Nowadays, many athletes choose to release a video announcing their retirement. Unfortunately for us fans, coaches don’t seem to be using that approach. It sucks! A Brad Childress narrated tear-jerker would have been euphoric.

It was probably a business decision on his end. Coach Childress didn’t want to be compared to Jared Allen’s masterpiece:

Jared Allen announced his retirement early this morning: pic.twitter.com/xzadWFt9ER

— NFL (@AllNFL_) February 18, 2016

Smart move, coach. Way to kick-off your expected retirement by avoiding things. From here on out, it’s your free time. I encourage you to avoid anything and everything else your heart desires. 

In closing, Childress’ stint with the Vikings was lackluster enough that even my “normally well-informed” co-workers at Minnesota Sports Fan are blaming him for problems he didn’t even cause… Christian Ponder… (Leslie Frazier’s doing)

Christian Ponder and Brad Childress made it into the latest podcast episode of “No Shirts, Just Skins”… #SKOL

For the entire episode, click here: https://t.co/rKzMVsLuxt pic.twitter.com/xyUNv2J1GR

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 2, 2018

Goodbye Brad. We can all hate. At the end of the day, we’d all give 3 body parts of your choosing to have lived your life.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com