The Kansas City Chiefs have committed to retaining offensive guard Trey Smith by agreeing to a four-year, $94 million contract, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. This deal was reached ahead of the franchise tag deadline and highlights the team’s intent to maintain a dominant offensive line to support their AFC championship ambitions.
Negotiations and Early Reports of Interest from Other Teams
Initial reports from Fox Sports suggested the agreement was close, following a franchise tag offer made by the Chiefs in February that guaranteed Smith $23.4 million for one season. This tag allowed the team and player until July 15 to finalize a long-term deal. The decision to tag Smith initially surprised many, especially after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler disclosed uncertainty in retaining him, with several teams reportedly viewing Smith as the most valuable free agent on the market.
Washington Post reporter Jason La Canfora also noted in February that Kansas City’s management anticipated the possibility of losing Smith in free agency. These concerns were compounded by the Chiefs being significantly over the salary cap at the start of the offseason, making it challenging to allocate sufficient funds for Smith’s contract without difficult salary cap moves.
Value of Trey Smith to the Chiefs’ Offensive Line
Despite these financial constraints, general manager Brett Veach recognized Smith’s critical role in the lineup and prioritized his retention. Smith, 26, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 and stood out as a highly effective run-blocker, ranking sixth among interior linemen in run-block win rate according to ESPN. Though not the cornerstone of pass protection, Smith’s presence strengthened the line effectively enough that losing him would have left a significant gap in the Chiefs’ offense.
The Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl defeats exposed vulnerabilities in protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who faced relentless pressure from opponents such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. While Smith’s role is more focused on run blocking, his contract reflects his importance to balancing the offensive front and enhancing overall protection.
Implications for the Chiefs’ Roster and Future Moves
With the financial commitment to Smith, the Chiefs will likely face challenging decisions on managing the rest of the roster. This situation echoes previous contract negotiations with defensive tackle Chris Jones, who eventually secured a $158.8 million contract despite initial salary cap concerns. Retaining Smith shows the franchise’s willingness to invest in key players to keep their championship hopes alive, even if it means readjusting priorities in other parts of the team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does Trey Smith have Parkinson’s?
A. In 2021, Trey and Louise went back to Charlotte because he was diagnosed with worsening stages of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.