AFC West Reset: Chiefs Play it Cool While Rivals Spend Big
Tucker Franklin and Matt Verderame go around the division to break down the Raiders' shopping spree, the Chargers’ identity crisis, and why a L'Jarius Sneed reunion might be "cooked."
In the latest Monday edition of That Football Show, Tucker Franklin and Matt Verderame navigate the fallout of the first wave of NFL Free Agency.
With the Chiefs moving into a “tertiary roster-filling” phase, the conversation centers on whether Brett Veach is done or if a seismic move—like a trade for Trent Williams or an interior force like Zach Seiler—is still on the table. The duo also tackles the heartbreaking reality of L’Jarius Sneed’s market, noting that while fans clamor for a reunion, his deteriorating knee and limited snap count in Tennessee suggest his finest hours may be in the rearview mirror.
Shifting focus to the AFC West, the guys offer a “state of the division” report that isn’t exactly glowing for the rivals. While the Raiders reset the center market with a massive Linderbaum contract to protect rookie QB Mendoza, the Chargers are earning an “F” grade for an offseason that prioritizes fullbacks and blocking tight ends over helping Justin Herbert.
Verderame pulls no punches on the “glazing” of Jim Harbaugh’s squad, arguing that despite the hype, the Chargers have arguably gotten worse while the Broncos have simply “run it back” with a roster that overachieved in 2024.
Top Three Takeaways
The L’Jarius Sneed Era is Likely Over: Despite the sentimental pull of a reunion, Sneed’s “bone-on-bone” knee issues and lack of durability make him a risky gamble. The Chiefs were right to move on when they did, and any return would be on a low-risk, veteran-minimum deal rather than a primary starter role.
The Chargers have an Identity Crisis: Jim Harbaugh seems intent on building “Baltimore West,” focusing heavily on the run game and blocking. However, by failing to add meaningful receiver help and ignoring the interior offensive line, the Chargers are set up to be “frisky” but ultimately underwhelming.
Raiders are Desperate, Broncos are Stagnant: The Raiders are spending aggressively to support their new rookie quarterback, even if it means overpaying to reset the market. Meanwhile, Denver’s strategy of resigning their own mediocre free agents suggests a looming regression for a team that caught every lucky break last season.