The Kansas City Chiefs have several critical players up for new contracts this offseason and how general manager Brett Veach elects to allocate resources will have long-lasting implications on the future of the roster.
Trey Smith, Nick Bolton, Justin Reid, and Charles Omenihu are all marquee pending free agents, but guys like Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown and DeAndre Hopkins potentially need to be replaced as well. Joe Thuney is an extension candidate with only one season left on his deal, so it's overwhelmingly likely that some of these guys won't be back in 2025.
That said, it appears the organization has made the decision to prioritize one of those players and get a deal done.
🚨 UPDATE 🚨
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) February 25, 2025
The #Chiefs are making it a priority to keep right guard Trey Smith.
They are going to make every effort to get a long-term deal done.
Per, @DMRussini. pic.twitter.com/1wHJs1nU4E
Chiefs Reportedly Want to Re-Sign G Trey Smith
According to Dianni Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs are making it a priority to keep Smith. Considering all of the struggles with the offensive line this season, it makes sense that Kansas City would want to keep one of the NFL's best interior linemen.
It's a tad surprising though given some of the other holes on the roster. Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Jawaan Taylor are all among the highest-paid players at their respective positions in the league, so an extension for Smith would put significant resources into four spots on the line. Unless an extension for Thuney comes or the Chiefs restructure Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce's contracts, it's hard to see how the Chiefs can afford everyone.
Teams can always get creative with the cap, and hopefully players will be willing to work with Kansas City to make things work. For a former sixth-round pick like Smith though, this is probably his best chance to secure the kind of generational wealth he's dreamt of.
He's certainly worth the price. Still just 25 years old, Smith ranked 14th out of 135 qualified guards at Pro Football Focus, being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Beloved in the locker room and community, Smith is the exact kind of player you want to reward.
We'll see if the two sides can come to an agreement, but it sounds like the Chiefs may soon make Smith among the highest paid guards in the sport.