The Kansas City Chiefs enter the 2025 offseason with a similar problem to the 2021 offseason when they came off of a blowout Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In Super Bowl LV, the Buccaneers defense harassed the Chiefs offensive line, which sent general manager Brett Veach and company on a mission to correct its mistakes. Two Super Bowl wins and three appearances later, the Chiefs have the same problem on their hands - fixing the offensive line.
A major part of that will be finding a quality left tackle, but the future of guard Trey Smith is another integral part of the equation.
Smith is set to hit free agency and would be one of the most coveted offensive lineman in the league if he hits the open market. Despite risking a chance at losing one of their top offensive lineman, the Chiefs reportedly don't plan to use the franchise tag or transition tag on Smith.
Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports the Chiefs will do their best to lock Smith up with a new lengthy contact instead.
"Instead, the Chiefs should do their best to keep one of their best players by offering Smith a four- or five-year contract. Smith entered the league in 2021 alongside center Creed Humphrey and the two have become best friends," Taylor suggested in his column. "Last year the Chiefs signed Humphrey, the league’s best center, to a four-year contract that included guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026. Veach and Reid should offer Smith a similar contract, one that makes him one of the league’s highest-paid guards."
Smith has started 67 of the last 68 games and didn't allow a single sack during the 2024 season.
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