Top 5 Chiefs Entering Contract Years in 2024

The Chiefs are all-in on a potential three-peat and did a tremendous job bringing back key free agents this offseason, from Chris Jones to Drue Tranquill and beyond. Kansas City is favored to get their third straight Super Bowl, though going "all-in" does have future consequences.

A number of key players are entering contract years. Brett Veach and his front office have this roster in great shape both now and in the near future, though the team may look a lot different after this year.

Some players like Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis will be eligible for contract extensions starting in 2024-25 and the Chiefs have difficult decisions ahead. Here's a look at the top five players entering the final year of their respective contracts:

Top 5 Chiefs Entering Contract Years

1. Creed Humphrey - Center

Creed Humphrey might have taken the 'Best Center' crown now that Jason Kelce retired, and I think it's merely a formality that he'll be re-signed. He's a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro, widely recognized as an elite offensive lineman that Kansas City snagged at No. 63 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Both Humphrey and Trey Smith (who we'll discuss in a following page) are free agents in 2025. It's possible the Chiefs keep both of them, though it's possible Brett Veach has to choose between his star interior linemen given the other nature of the salary cap.

If faced with the decision, Humphrey feels like an easy choice.

The Chiefs' run scheme often utilizes athleticism and pulling linemen to open up lanes. Humphrey is a perfect fit in that regard. It's worth noting he's never missed a game in the NFL as well. Dependability matters, especially at a position that touches the ball every single play.

Perhaps the biggest argument in Humphrey's favor is the market. The highest-paid center in 2024-25 is Frank Ragnow (Lions) at an average of $13.5 million per year. Only five centers will make more than $8 million.

For guards? Chris Lindstrom (Falcons) and Robert Hunt (Panthers) are both making at least $20 million. A dozen different guards will make at least $8 million next season.

Even if you think that Humphrey and Smith are equals, and Humphrey is demonstrably better, the simple market value of existing contracts means you should sign the center and not the guard.

2. Nick Bolton - Linebacker

Nick Bolton is another player that I believe will be back under a new contract extension. Steve Spagnuolo is not shy about his love for what Bolton brings to his defense, even relying on his football IQ to scheme up plays in critical moments.

Despite missing nine games last year with injury, Bolton has more than proved himself as an invaluable member of the defense. He could've won Super Bowl MVP against the Eagles if not for an overturned TD, and he's considered the 'quarterback of the defense' for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

As a Chief, Bolton has 352 tackles, nine deflected passes, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery with a TD.

Kansas City let Willie Gay Jr. walk and re-signed Drue Tranquill, so there's cap room to keep Bolton. He could require a massive extension, though all signs from the coaching staff point toward ensuring the former Missouri Tiger stays in Kansas City.

Three linebackers make over $15 million annually. That feels like the baseline for a potential new contract for Bolton, complicating the salary cap for the rest of the players on this list.

3. Justin Reid - Safety

Over the course of the last few weeks, Justin Reid went from someone that I thought was certainly gone after this year to a player I could see Kansas City extending. Not only has Reid become a vocal leader of this defense, but the new kickoff rules give him expanded value as a possible kickoff man.

Reid is slated to handle kickoffs for the Chiefs, which has multiple benefits. First, there's the obvious advantage of having a man who can tackle on the field under a rule system that incentivizes that. Second, Reid kicking off preserves Harrison Butker's health for field goals.

Reid's versatility essentially protects two positions, which makes him difficult to replace if Kansas City wants to move on.

During his two years with the Chiefs, Reid has 178 tackles, 14 deflected passes, four sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He's been a perfect replacement for Tyrann Mathieu, and I'm coming around to the idea of keeping him for a second contract.

Brett Veach has never given a member of the secondary an extension, and the Chiefs theoretically have a replacement in-house with Bryan Cook.

Nonetheless, Reid's versatility has made him at least worthy of consideration for an extension.

4. Trey Smith - Right Guard

Circling back to what we discussed in the Creed Humphrey section, Trey Smith represents one of the most interesting decisions the Chiefs' front office faces in the 2025 offseason. He's one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL and beloved in Chiefs Kingdom, though Smith's price might be too rich for Kansas City's pockets.

The 2021 sixth-round pick out of Tennessee is a monster inside, routinely taking down multiple defenders while creating space for Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco. If all contracts were equal, Smith would be an easy decision to keep on the roster.

Unfortunately, that's not how it works. The high cost of guard extensions in the current market means Smith would become one of the Chiefs' most expensive players on a new contract. Unless he's willing to take a discount, I don't think Smith will return after this season.

It's notable that the Chiefs selected three offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft. Brett Veach typically backfills positions that have starters coming up for contracts and it looks like Kansas City is preparing for an eventual departure.

I'd love to see the team keep Smith long-term and offer him an extension, but that's only possible if the Chiefs say goodbye to another important player.

Given the positional value and that Joe Thuney has another year under contract, I believe Kansas City will be looking for a new starting right guard in 2025.

5. Harrison Butker - Kicker

It's hard to remember a time that Harrison Butker wasn't on the Chiefs but that could be a nearing reality given his status as perhaps the best kicker in the entire league. Butker has had an eventful offseason following his controversial commencement speech comments, though he has the full support of his teammates going into the new season.

Butker made a remarkable 94.3% of his field goals and every single extra point in the 2023-24 season, not to mention his continued clutch kicks in the postseason. He's become one of the most important members of Kansas City's dynasty and it's hard to imagine him playing for someone else.

If the Chiefs want to keep Butker, they'll likely have to make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

The highest-paid kickers in the league make around $6 million annually. Butker has an elite resume and I'd guess any new contract would be in the neighborhood of $7 million.

If that makes you scoff, it should. It's hard to envision Butker playing for a different team, though it's Veach's history to find someone to replace the long-time kicker.

Butker is almost synonymous with "clutch" and I want him to stick around, though the salary cap raises some difficult questions for Kansas City moving forward.

More Kansas City Chiefs News: