What the Tennessee Titans Can Expect from $76-Million Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed: 'I'm Gonna Win Every Rep'

At his introductory press conference Tuesday, new Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed talked about the experiences and the attitude that have made him one of the most respected defenders in the NFL.

NASHVILLE — Before L'Jarius Sneed became the Tennessee Titans' biggest free-agent acquisition on defense in 2024, before he projected the swagger of being a two-time Super Bowl champion, Sneed was a second-year cornerback from a small college trying to find his way in the National Football League.

At his introductory press conference Tuesday, he was asked: "Was there a game, or maybe a receiver that you covered where you kinda proved it to yourself that, yeah, I can do this?"

"Yes. Davante Adams. When I first lined up against him (in 2021)."

In a 13-7 Chiefs win against Green Bay and their All-Pro Adams, Sneed had six tackles and a goal-line interception. The rest of his story is a rapid ascension to one of the highest-paid defensive backs in the NFL.

How will he make the transition from the Kansas City Chiefs, a team culture that realistically expects nothing less than a Super Bowl, to the Titans, a franchise clearly in rebuild mode?

"Just bring my swagger. Just bring what I learned — what the coaches installed in me and bring it here. I think we're gonna be okay."

In Tuesday's Q&A with reporters, Sneed talked about his on-field confidence and physicality, his contract, and the NFL's ban of the swivel hip-drop tackle.

What he brings to the field

"Confidence, resiliency, relentlessness, I'm a helluva player, I love my game, I'm not afraid to lose, but I'm gonna win every rep."

On physicality

Sneed is described as one of the most aggressive corners in the NFL (see the viral video clip of his 2023 playoff game mistreatment of Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill). "I've always been an aggressive guy, but the last two years I made up my mind that I'm gonna put hands on guys, and I seen that it worked. I'm gonna put my hands on guys and mess timing up."

Titans general manager Ran Carthon said that Sneed "covers people. We know that. (He can) go in the slot, play outside and take away the team's No. 1, but again, the physicality, the willingness to come up and make tackles.

"A lot of the greats in the game, we know Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) was arguably the best cover corner ever, but people always criticized him for his, quote unquote, lack of tackling. ... We have two corners now (Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie) who are physical and will put their face on people and set the edge."

On his $76.4-million contract

"I just feel like I deserve to be the highest-paid (cornerback) off of my season that I had last year. Things worked out for me and my family and hopefully for the Tennessee Titans.

But Sneed added later in the Q&A: "The money don't change anything. I love this game for the game."

On his leadership style

"I wouldn't say that I'm very vocal. I'm not the rah-rah-guy. I'm not gonna be all down your neck. I might pull you to the side and say "Work on this, work on that.' Or work with you to get better. Call you after practice. I'm a leader like that."

On the NFL rule prohibiting the hip-drop tackle

Before the question was finished, Sneed said, "I do not like that." The room erupted in laughter.

Related Titans stories

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