The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2025 offseason by slapping the franchise tag on a key offensive starter from last year’s Super Bowl runner-up team.
Instead of letting him test free agency, the Chiefs are expected to hand starting right guard Trey Smith a one-year tender worth $23.4 million. It would make him the highest-paid player at his position, out-earning Philadelphia Eagles starting left guard Landon Dickerson ($21 million) on a per-year basis.
Chiefs Expected To Slap Franchise Tag on RG Trey Smith
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport first reported the news that the Chiefs plan to place the franchise tag on Smith, what he deemed an “intriguing move” via X. The Pro Bowl right guard allowed zero sacks and only five quarterback hits on 708 pass-blocking snaps while protecting Patrick Mahomes in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. He’ll turn 26 years old on June 16.
Smith — a two-time Super Bowl champion — will likely wait before he signs the one-year tender as the two sides continue to negotiate a long-term contract extension. The Chiefs have until July 15 to hammer out a deal that keeps one of their true enforcers up front under team control for the foreseeable future.
“I want to play the game with bad intentions but within the confines of the rulebook,” Smith told the New York Times on Jan 22. “I play to be violent and to release my emotions.”
The #Chiefs are planning to franchise tag star guard Trey Smith, sources say. An intriguing move, as KC keeps one of its best players for $23.4M on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal. pic.twitter.com/IOnctKg7WE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2025
General manager Brett Veach has gone on record saying it was a “priority” to retain Smith, adding he has had “good dialogue” with his agent, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.
Smith has started 67 regular-season games since taking over the starting job in 2021 as a sixth-round pick out of Tennessee, missing just one game. Smith fell down draft boards due to concerns over a blood clot in his lungs.
Smith Ranked No. 2 Free Agent on PFSN’s Top 100 Rankings
It’s no surprise the Chiefs are doing everything in their power to keep Smith happy. At 6’6″, 321 pounds, he’s a key cog along Kansas City’s offensive line and one of the team’s best pure run blockers. His 75.1% run block win rate ranked sixth-best in the NFL while ranking 13th among all qualifying guards in pass block win rate (93.9%). He has also started 13 straight postseason games for Kansas City.
PFSN ranked Smith No. 2 on its Top 100 NFL Free Agent Rankings list in 2025. Rivals can now scratch his name off the list of available free agents.
READ MORE: Top 100 NFL Free Agent Rankings
“Trey Smith has developed into one of the best all-around guards in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs right guard had a career-best 4.0% pressure rate allowed in 2024, which ranked in the upper third among qualifying guards this season. He also impressed in the run game, ranking sixth in ESPN’s run block win rate metric,” wrote PFSN’s Ben Rolfe.
“Most impressively, Smith didn’t allow a single sack all season. No guard played more pass-blocking snaps without allowing a sack during the 2024 season than Smith’s 665.
“Smith turns 26 years old this offseason and has been ultra-durable, playing 67 out of 68 possible games since being drafted in 2021.”
Chiefs GM Brett Veach says he’s “pretty optimistic” KC can keep Trey Smith, added “we've already had some good dialogue with him” and his agency, CAA. pic.twitter.com/6sNg0Zyeq7
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) February 25, 2025
Smith’s one-year tender at $23.4 million would make him the highest-paid guard in the NFL. He would pass Atlanta Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom ($20.5 million) and Eagles left guard Dickerson ($21 million) at the position on a per-year basis.