The Kansas City Chiefs didn't end the season the way they envisioned. The NFL is a very tough league to compete in and the Chiefs have found a way to do so consistently.
The page has turned on the 2024 season and it's all about planning for the next campaign. The Chiefs have a flurry of guys hitting unrestricted free agency. That list includes G Trey Smith, T D.J. Humphries, RB Kareem Hunt, RB Samaje Perine, TE Jody Fortson, WR Marquise Brown, WR Mecole Hardman, WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Justin Watson, S Justin Reid, LB Nick Bolton and DE Charles Omenihu to name a few guys.
The Chiefs won't be able to retain everyone on this list. GM Brett Veach has his hands full making these tough decisions. With free agency less than a month away, predictions have started trickling in.
In an article written by Marcus Mosher of the 33rd Team, he predicts players who will get monster contracts in free agency. Smith was on that list and Mosher has him landing a four-year, $84 million deal.
Who will be the highest-paid free agents this offseason?
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 13, 2025
I wrote about the top eight right here:https://t.co/8pIiGy9Wdp
Trey Smith Projected to Land Mega Deal in Free Agency
The Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots have been named as potential suitors.
Smith came into the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and developed into one of the best offensive linemen, becoming a Pro Bowler in 2024. This past season, Smith had a 78.8 overall grade (14th among 135 eligible guards), 70.6 pass-blocking grade (33rd among 135 eligible guards), and an 80.8 run-blocking grade (10th among 135 eligible guards). In addition, he didn't give up a sack all season.
Finding quality offensive line play isn't easy in this league. Teams will always overpay for players on the free agent market to lure them away from their clubs. That might be the case for Smith this offseason.
Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson is the highest paid guard in the NFL at $21 million annually after signing a four-year $84 million deal.
Smith will look to land a deal similar to that, and that likely won't come from the Chiefs. Per Spotrac, they have $5 million in salary cap space and would need to make a flurry of moves to create enough space to retain the Tennessee product.
The odds are slim that KC does that and Smith will likely be suiting up elsewhere for the 2025 season and beyond. The price tag is too high for the Chiefs and they would be better off letting him walk.