After a crushing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for what could be one of the most defining offseasons in recent memory. While the team anxiously awaits Travis Kelce’s decision on retirement, another major piece of their championship puzzle Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith faces an uncertain fate.
At just 25 years old, Smith has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s premier guards. A former sixth-round pick (226th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft, he shattered expectations and earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 just in time to cash in on free agency.
Key 2025 Chiefs Free Agents:
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Justin Reid
- Charles Omenihu
- Marquise Brown
- D.J. Humphries
- Derrick Nnadi
- Samaje Perine
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Trey Smith
- Nick Bolton
Kansas City is eager to keep Smith in the fold, especially with plans to move All-Pro lineman Joe Thuney back to his natural position at left guard in 2025. Retaining Smith would solidify one of the league’s most dominant interior offensive lines.
However, NFL insiders have long speculated that Smith is headed elsewhere. With multiple teams including the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans desperate for an elite guard, Smith is widely considered the top offensive lineman on the free-agent market. Until recently, many believed his departure was inevitable.
That narrative may be shifting. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs are now expected to make a “strong push” to re-sign Smith a reversal from previous reports suggesting they were prepared to let him walk.
Bringing Smith back won’t come cheap. Projections indicate he could command a record-breaking deal north of $20 million per season, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history. If the Chiefs go all-in, they would have more financial resources tied up in their interior offensive line than any team in the league.
Still, Kansas City understands the importance of protecting Patrick Mahomes especially after watching the offensive line struggle on the sport’s biggest stage. Expect the Chiefs to exhaust every option to retain Smith. If they fall short, look for them to pivot toward securing a veteran left tackle in free agency.
