Kansas City Chiefs fans will be excited by the news that guard Trey Smith has returned to the team. Despite skipping earlier in the offseason to attempt to negotiate a new contract, the guard has opted to put the team ahead of what is deserved. There isn't any reasonable pundit questioning that Smith deserves an extension and a raise. This is especially the case with the short list of players the Chiefs are now paying top dollar. Add in the departure of Joe Thuney, and KC has little choice but to give in and pay the starter what is deserved on a questionable offensive line.
With this in mind, Smith is likely showing up with the understanding that contract talks will continue. It is hard to see the starter ending a short-lived holdout while still having so much leverage. However, this also speaks to the culture that Kansas City has installed, with contract talks rarely falling out of hand. Chris Jones serves as the most recent example of things not going the team's way, and the matter was quickly resolved after the loss of his impact was felt. It appears with Smith that it isn't going to come to this.
Chiefs Guard Trey Smith Has Ended His Holdout
#Chiefs: Trey Smith is here pic.twitter.com/lKuZvVhkqP
— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) June 17, 2025
Smith showing up in the Kansas City facility speaks volumes as to how focused this team is, and a situation that will soon resolve itself. Whether it is an extension or a raise, the guard is deserving of whichever direction the Chiefs choose to go. The Chiefs need a focused offseason after watching 2024 end in frustration. This was on the heels of a season that was completely reliant on an incredible defense and the magic of Patrick Mahomes to pull games out of the fire at the last possible moment.
The Chiefs need to be able to turn the page on this and get back to winning in typical Kansas City fashion. It will require a level of cohesive offensive energy that is benefited by every possible rep the starters can earn in the 2025 offseason. Headlining the importance of the return of Smith and how it highlights a team that is willing to put ego aside to do what it takes to chase continued greatness.