As the Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2024 season aiming to win their third consecutive Super Bowl, they made a series of trades to reinforce their roster.
Let’s revisit these moves, examining their impact on the season.
L’Jarius Sneed: a cornerstone lost
The offseason spotlight shone brightly on star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was coming off a stellar 2023 campaign. Known for his versatility and lockdown coverage — allowing no touchdowns during the regular season — Sneed played a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run. He even delivered a game-changing forced fumble in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite his value, the Chiefs faced a tough financial decision. Sneed was franchise-tagged on February 28, guaranteeing him a $19.8 million salary that would threaten Kansas City’s already tight cap space. With Sneed’s age (27) and rising demands, the Chiefs opted to trade him to the Tennessee Titans on March 22. The deal sent Sneed and a seventh-round pick to Tennessee in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick. The Titans promptly signed him to a four-year, $76.4 million contract.
While the move was risky, the Chiefs’ faith in Trent McDuffie and their young secondary paid off; despite Sneed’s absence, the defense remained stout. Meanwhile, Sneed’s season in Tennessee was derailed by injury; he landed on the Titans’ Reserve/Injured list in November with a quad issue. He finished with 23 tackles and no interceptions. In hindsight, the Chiefs navigated the trade well, saving cap space and securing valuable draft capital while maintaining defensive integrity.
Cameron Thomas: A short-lived experiment
In late August, Kansas City sought to bolster its pass rush by acquiring defensive end Cameron Thomas from the Arizona Cardinals for a seventh-round pick. Thomas, a former third-round selection from San Diego State, was viewed as a developmental project under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Unfortunately, Thomas made just five appearances, logging only six snaps on defense and failing to register a tackle. He was waived in November, rendering the trade a misfire.
Peyton Hendershot: Depth that didn’t deliver
On final cutdown day, the Chiefs traded a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for tight end Peyton Hendershot, who was known as a solid blocker. Initially released after limited action, Hendershot returned to the practice squad — and was promoted back to the roster following rookie Jared Wiley’s season-ending injury.
Hendershot also missed time with an injury, ultimately appearing in only seven games, collecting five catches for 51 yards. While Kansas City gave up little, it gained even less — making this trade inconsequential at best.
DeAndre Hopkins: A missed opportunity
The Chiefs’ receiving corps suffered early setbacks with Hollywood Brown’s preseason shoulder injury and Rashee Rice’s season-ending knee injury in Week 4. To address this, Kansas City traded with the Titans to get three-time All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins on October 23, parting with a conditional fourth-round pick.
Though the move promised fireworks, Hopkins struggled to find his rhythm in Kansas City. Over 10 games, he posted 41 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns. As the season progressed, his role diminished — and the Chiefs showed little interest in re-signing him after the season. Despite the initial excitement, this trade ultimately fell flat.
Josh Uche: The rotation that never was
Seeking to reinforce their pass rush amid injuries to Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu, the Chiefs traded a 2026 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for linebacker Josh Uche. A former second-round pick, Uche seemed poised to contribute, but his integration into the rotation never materialized. He appeared in just five games and was a healthy scratch throughout December, leaving many puzzled by his limited use.
The bottom line
The Chiefs’ 2024 trades reflected a mix of savvy financial strategy and calculated risks:
L’Jarius Sneed’s trade ultimately benefited the Chiefs, preserving cap flexibility and enabling them to weather defensive injuries, though his absence was felt.
Cameron Thomas and Peyton Hendershot’s acquisitions failed to deliver meaningful contributions.
DeAndre Hopkins brought promise but little production, falling short of expectations.
Josh Uche’s trade was a low-cost gamble that didn’t pay off.
While not all its moves yielded immediate dividends, Kansas City’s front office demonstrated a willingness to strike a balance between short-term needs and long-term sustainability. Its efforts paid off, as Kansas City made yet another appearance in the Super Bowl.
