Chiefs, Trey Smith in Franchise Tag Contract Talks

Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, a 2024 Pro Bowler, has been officially placed under the franchise tag, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history with a guaranteed one-year, $23.4 million contract. The Chiefs and Smith have until July 15 to agree on a long-term extension, or Smith will play the 2025 season on the tag and further negotiations will be postponed until after the Super Bowl. Both Smith and team leaders, including GM Brett Veach and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have expressed mutual respect and a desire to reach a deal. Negotiations reportedly center on guaranteed money, with estimates suggesting a two-year guarantee could reach $51.5 million. Securing Smith long-term could help the Chiefs manage cap space to retain other core players amid recent offensive line changes, including the trade of guard Joe Thuney. If a deal is not reached, the Chiefs could face increased cap pressure and potential offensive line instability in 2026.