Trey Smith, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive lineman, has earned recognition as the highest-paid guard in the NFL, following a substantial contract extension announced on July 15. Speaking during the Chiefs’ training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, Smith acknowledged the many influences that helped shape his career, emphasizing the importance of support from family and veteran mentors along the way.

Smith described the emotional motivating moments behind his drive, recalling a promise made to his late mother when he was 15. He said,

“I lost my mom when I was 15, and I made two promises to her: that I’d get my degree and play in the NFL,”

he shared emotionally.

“I didn’t promise her I’d be the highest-paid, but I made a promise, man. My parents sacrificed so much for me to be here—so much. To have that moment with them is special. It’s special and it’s something I won’t take for granted.”

The Role of Veterans and Mentors in Shaping Smith’s Professional Mindset

Along with his family’s sacrifices, Smith credited veteran players for guiding him through his early career challenges. He singled out former NFL offensive lineman Artis Hicks, who provided valuable advice on patience and perseverance. Smith recalled Hicks’ counsel during contract uncertainties:

“I’ve got a veteran offensive lineman that trained me when I was a young kid named Artis Hicks. I had a lot long conversations and talks with him. He just told, ‘Man, at the end of the day, you can control the controllables.’ I can control my effort and my hard work. That’s all I can control at the end of the day. So obviously, I’m a faith-driven person. I just trusted in God and kept going to work.”

Filling the Leadership Void Left by Joe Thuney’s Departure

For several seasons, All-Pro guard Joe Thuney commanded respect as the veteran leader of the Chiefs’ offensive line, mentoring Smith and other young linemen like Creed Humphrey. However, the offseason trade that sent Thuney to the Chicago Bears left both a leadership and locker room gap.

When asked about stepping into Thuney’s shoes, Smith shared a mixture of humor and sincerity, acknowledging the difficulty of replacing him. “One, I miss him,” Smith said with a laugh.

“That’s the first thing right there. I miss Joe. The second part is, obviously, it’s the presence that’s missed. It’s not just the leadership on the field, but the things you guys don’t see, the times in the locker room keeping morale high. At the end of the day, it’s sort of a natural thing. Father Time phases is out a little bit.”

Taking On a Leading Role Among Chiefs’ Offensive Linemen

Now 25 years old, Smith has emerged as one of the key figures among the Chiefs’ veteran offensive linemen, alongside Creed Humphrey and Jawaan Taylor. With this increased responsibility comes the task of maintaining the standards set by Thuney.

Smith expressed confidence that Thuney’s leadership created a strong foundation for the group to build upon. Referencing the transition into leadership roles, he said,

“Obviously, it’s Creed, JT [Jawaan Taylor], and I just in an older situation,”

continuing,

“It sort of sits on us with our age to be the leading presence int eh room. The beautiful thing about it is that Joe Thuney was such a beautiful leader that he gave us an example and a standard to set by. So for us, we know what it looks like to be great. For us, it’s just coming close to that.”

The Future Outlook for Chiefs’ Offensive Line Leadership

As the Chiefs gear up for the season ahead, the leadership role left vacant by Joe Thuney will be carried forward by Trey Smith and his fellow veterans, who are committed to upholding the culture and work ethic established by their predecessor. Smith’s resolve and the lessons passed down from previous leaders suggest the offensive line will remain a cohesive and motivated unit.

The transition marks a pivotal moment for the Chiefs, signaling a new chapter where young leaders like Smith will shape the team’s future both on and off the field, continuing the legacy of excellence fostered by Thuney and those who came before.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. What happened to Joe Thuney?

A. Thuney was traded from Kansas City to Chicago in March. This deal gave the Chiefs a fourth-round pick. The move took Thuney from the AFC’s top team to a Chicago team determined to compete again under their new head coach, Ben Johnson.

Q. What is the status of Joe Thuney?

A. Team Updates: The Chicago Bears have given offensive lineman Joe Thuney a new contract, extending his stay by two years until 2027. This signing took place on Wednesday and involves a well-experienced player.