Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Trey Smith signed his franchise tag on Sunday, which locks him in for $23.4 million on a one-year, fully guaranteed contract that officially makes him the league's highest-paid guard, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. For now, the Chiefs are hoping this is just a placeholder as they work to sign Smith to a long-term deal. Specifically, the 25-year-old received the non-exclusive franchise tag. The former sixth-rounder (226th overall) in 2021 out of Tennessee was on the All-Rookie team and also made his first Pro Bowl in 2024. He's missed just one game in his four NFL seasons in Kansas City and has become one of the best and most durable guards in the league. The Chiefs and Smith now have until July to work on a long-term extension. Otherwise, Smith will make $23.4 million in 2025 in his fifth year in the NFL.
The Kansas City Chiefs will place the franchise tag on Pro Bowl offensive guard Trey Smith, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The goal remains for the Chiefs to work out a long-term deal with Smith, and negotiations will continue. There's no way Kansas City was going to let the 25-year-old reach the open market this offseason, where he would have been the top guard available. If the two sides are unable to reach a contract extension by the deadline in July, Smith will play the 2025 season on the $23.4 million franchise tag. He was originally a sixth-round selection (226th overall) in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of Tennessee. Not only has Smith started all 67 of the games he's appeared in since entering the league in 2021, but he's been one of the best all-around guards in his four seasons. His Pro Bowl selection in 2024 was the first of his career.
Chiefs "Pretty Optimistic" They Can Keep Trey Smith
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said on Tuesday that he's "pretty optimistic" that the team can retain offensive guard Trey Smith, also saying "we've already had some good dialogue on him" and his agency. Smith is headed for free agency next month and should have plenty of suitors if he reaches the open market after performing as a top-15 guard in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. If the Chiefs aren't able to reach an extension to keep Smith in town before he officially becomes a free agent, they could place the franchise tag on him, specifically the transition tag. The 25-year-old was taken in the sixth round by the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of Tennessee and he's started in all 67 of the games that he's appeared in over his four seasons. Smith made his first Pro Bowl with KC in 2024.
Both ESPN's Adam Schefter and Adam Teicher think it's unlikely that the Kansas City Chiefs would place the franchise tag on impending free-agent right guard Trey Smith, which would cost just over $25 million in 2025, but Schefter thinks the transition tag is much more plausible. The franchise tag for Smith would make him the highest-paid guard in the league by $4 million in average per year. Another reason that doesn't make sense is that KC already has a lot invested in offensive linemen Creed Humphrey, Jawaan Taylor and Joe Thuney. A transition tag would give the Chiefs the ability to match any offer another team gives Smith, but it would save them just $3 million compared to the franchise tag. If Smith hits the open market, expect plenty of teams to be interested in signing the former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Tennessee.
Trey Smith Could Be Top Available Guard Next Offseason
The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best trios of interior offensive linemen in the league with center Creed Humphrey, All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney and guard Trey Smith. However, Smith is entering the last year of his rookie contract in 2024, and the Chiefs could prioritize retaining Humphrey and linebacker Nick Bolton over Smith, similar to when they re-signed pass-rusher Chris Jones over cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. If Smith continues to succeed in 2024 with consistent production while limiting his penalties, he could be the top free agent at his position next offseason, potentially earning an annual average of more than $20 million. The 25-year-old offensive lineman has started all 50 of the games he's appeared in for KC since they took him in the sixth round (226th overall) in 2021 out of Tennessee.
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