The biggest question mark for the Kansas City Chiefs offense remains how the team is going to build out the offensive line. The struggling unit was the biggest reason the Chiefs were unable to capture the dreams of three straight Super Bowl wins. It is hard to make plays from your back or when you're running for your life, and this is exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles forced Patrick Mahomes to do, thanks to a shaky offensive line. However, the Chiefs have spent the offseason making changes to the unit, searching for answers.
A large piece of this is the stability that guard Trey Smith brings on the inside. However, the starter is clearly searching for a new contract, and head coach Andy Reid isn't reassuring fans that things are going to be worked out. When asked about the guard, the veteran coach offered, "We'll see." This in itself is confirmation that a deal doesn't appear to be close, and the guard is likely going to hold out as he awaits a new contract.
Trey Smith's Negotiations Opens the Door for Chiefs' Draft Bust
Head coach Andy Reid on Trey Smith participating in next week's mandatory minicamp: "We'll see."
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 12, 2025
Whether or not Smith attends minicamp, the guard is going to get a new deal. After parting ways with Joe Thuney earlier in the offseason, the team cannot survive another loss at the position. Smith is going to get paid. The only question is when it is going to happen. Until it does, Kingsley Suamataia has a chance to take advantage of any missed reps and win back a fan base that quickly lost all trust in the young pass protector.
Suamataia was such an epic bust at the tackle position that the Chiefs have opted to move the tackle to the inside in hopes of sparking change. It is hard for things to do anything but improve with the level of protection the offensive lineman offered in his early starts. Smith's absence from camp locks Kingsley into a starting role and gives a failing player a chance to show meaningful improvement and earn his way back into the lineup.
With that said, it is important to be clear that there has been nothing in Suamataia's game since joining the Chiefs to suggest that will be the case. Rather, this is meant to point out the reality of the opportunity that lies in front of the guard if Smith's contract negotiations do stretch out over the summer. Regardless, it is fair to expect this to be the final chance for a player who simply has given every reason to believe the Chiefs need to move on.