By Dianna Russini, Nate Taylor and Amos Morale III
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to use the franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith, a team source told The Athletic.
The Chiefs were looking to get a long-term deal done with the Pro Bowler but have yet to reach an agreement and informed him that he will be tagged.
For both parties to best continue their partnership, the most ideal scenario is that the Chiefs sign Smith to a multi-year deal before March 10, when free agency begins, and he gets the highest-paid contract for a guard while not having his cap number be as high as the franchise tag’s near $24 million salary for one season. The Chiefs plan to continue negotiating with Smith in the hopes of signing him to a new contract, according to a team source.
Highest paid guard by average annual salary:
◽️ Landon Dickerson — $21M
◽️ Chris Lindstrom — $20.5M
◽️ Robert Hunt — $20M
◽️ Quenton Nelson — $20MTrey Smith’s franchise tag projects to earn him almost $24M — and a long-term deal could raise that AAV figure even higher. pic.twitter.com/rMXGLIsfjn
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 27, 2025
Smith was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old has started every one of the 67 games he’s played for Kansas City and has missed only one contest in four seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2024 regular season after not allowing a sack.
The move to retain Smith will see him back with three-time Pro Bowlers Creed Humphrey (center) and Joe Thuney (left guard/tackle) on Kansas City’s offensive line.
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(Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)
