Trey Smith has been a pivotal piece of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line over the past four seasons, starting 67 games. He has helped lead the franchise to two Super Bowl titles and three appearances, while earning Pro Bowl honors in 2024.
The Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on the sixth-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft. Smith signed the tag, which will pay him $23.4 million in 2025. However, Kansas City would likely prefer to sign the offensive lineman to a long-term deal.
An NFL insider claimed that reaching a deal may not be easy, noting that Smith is in a rare spot.
NFL Insider Claims Chiefs Deal With Trey Smith Won’t Be Easy
The Chiefs are looking to return to the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive season and Smith will be a key part of Patrick Mahomes’ protection. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently revealed that reaching a long-term extension may not be easy for the franchise. The NFL insider discussed the rare situation, writing:
“I think the Chiefs get a deal done with him, but it won’t be easy. The reason why is that the franchise tag for guards is not equal to the tag at other positions – because offensive linemen are grouped together, it’s actually based on what the NFL’s top tackles make.”
Breer noted that Smith will be the highest earner at his position if he plays on the franchise tag. He noted that the $23.4 million the tag is worth in 2025 is more than the $21 million Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson will earn before adding:
“Generally, the equation for tagged players is that you take the equivalent of two tags, and that becomes the guarantee over the first two years. That adds up to $51.5 million, or an average of $25.74 million. That would be a massive jump over the top of the market. Smith’s leverage would be that, health permitting, he could just play out this year at $23.4 million, and then force the Chiefs to tag him again or let him go to free agency next March.”
The Pro Bowl offensive lineman was on hand at Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp, suggesting that he will not hold out for a new deal. McKenzie Nelson of KSHB 41 shared a photo of him, tweeting:
#Chiefs: Trey Smith is here pic.twitter.com/lKuZvVhkqP
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) June 17, 2025
While Smith could play out the season on the franchise tag, signing a long-term deal would provide him with more security against injury or regression. Although his agents continue to negotiate with the Chiefs’ front office, the one-time Pro Bowler is in a unique spot, as he is under no pressure to ink a new deal. The two sides have until July 15 to negotiate a new contract.