Update reveals Vikings current chance of trading for top Chiefs cornerback

Based on their actions during the last couple of weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have placed a big emphasis on improving their defensive level of talent this offseason.

Since the new league year began last Wednesday, the Vikings have added 12 completely new players to their roster in free agency, and out of these 12 signings, eight have made a living in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball.

Free agency hasn't been the only path Minnesota has explored to improve their defense this year, as they were reportedly one of multiple teams to call the Kansas City Chiefs about trading for veteran cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. As of Friday, Sneed was still a member of the Chiefs, so is there any chance of the Vikings acquiring him before the start of the 2024 season?

Minnesota Vikings have reportedly "stopped engaging" in trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs about L'Jarius Sneed

Other than the recent signing of free-agent cornerback Shaquill Griffin, Minnesota hasn't really done much to improve their secondary this year. So even after all of the defensive additions the Vikings have already made this offseason, it wouldn't be surprising if the team was still interested in making a trade to land Sneed from Kansas City.

However, it sounds like Minnesota has put an end to any pursuit of the Chiefs cornerback, at least for the near future.

According to The Athletic's Nate Taylor on Friday, the Vikings have reportedly "stopped engaging" with Kansas City about a possible trade for Sneed.

This makes sense, as we first learned about Minnesota's interest in potentially acquiring the veteran corner earlier this month before the start of free agency. And now that the Vikings have already used a bunch of their cap space this year, Sneed might be out of their price range.

Wherever Sneed ends up, he's going to be looking for a new contract as well. So, in addition to Minnesota having to give up some of their draft assets (which are currently extremely valuable to the Vikings), they would also have to be willing to sign the Kansas City corner to a lucrative extension.

This isn't to say that Sneed ending up with Minnesota this offseason is impossible. It just currently seems to be highly unlikely that we will see him suiting up in purple and gold for the 2024 campaign.

Update: The Chiefs reportedly traded L'Jarius Sneed and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Tennessee Titans on Friday evening for a 2024 seventh-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.