Chiefs Expected to Avoid Franchise Tag on Trey Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs are facing critical decisions in their offseason after a disappointing Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. A primary focus will be on their offensive lineman Trey Smith, who is projected to be a highly sought-after free agent. Reports indicate that the Chiefs will not use the franchise or transition tag on Smith, despite speculation that they might, as the franchise tag for an offensive lineman would exceed $25 million. Instead, the organization plans to negotiate a long-term contract to retain Smith, potentially mirroring the recent four-year deal given to center Creed Humphrey. The Chiefs' current salary cap situation complicates matters, leaving them with about $15 million in space, making it unlikely they can afford to tag any of their key free agents. As they aim to rebound for the next season, they must strategically manage their roster and finances to maintain competitiveness.