'He shouldn't take any advice from me' — Chiefs DT Chris Jones has hilarious self-deprecating take on Trey Smith's mandatory minicamp decision

While there was a bit of mystery, Smith being present shouldn't come as too much of a shock. He signed his franchise tag back in back in March, so he was required to be at minicamp. Had he not signed, he could have skipped out with no penalty. 

Both Smith and general manager Brett Veach have seemed confident that a deal will eventually be reached. Negotiations between the two should be unfolding much smoother than when defensive tackle Chris Jones received his extension back in 2023. 

That year Jones missed the entirety of training camp and preseason during a holdout, and also missed the Chiefs' Week 1 regular season opener. He finally signed a blockbuster 5-year, $158.75 million extension the following week. While speaking to the media following minicamp on Tuesday, Jones joked about Smith not following in his footsteps.

"It's good Trey didn't take my approach," Jones joked. "Trey is doing the right thing. Don't take no advice from me. I did things a little different, don't take no advice from me. Trey, you're in a good place. You know, the franchise tag is like $25 million, right? That's the big bucks."

Jones went on to say he is confident that Smith will get his long-term deal and that his best years are still ahead of him.

"He's in a good place," Jones said. "Staying healthy, ready to compete. And training camp, which I know Trey will be [at], and we're excited to have him around. I think the future plans for the Chiefs is to have Trey around. He's a pivotal part of our offensive line. He's a superior guard in this league. Could be an All-Pro this year. His body of work speaks for itself. So, we're glad to have him back out. [He] brings a lot of energy to the offensive line, and it's a good way for us to compete on the defensive line."

Just as Jones did back in 2023, Smith deserves his big payday. Kansas City has question marks at left tackle and left guard, and right tackle Jawaan Taylor could be entering his final year in a Chiefs uniform. Hopefully the deal can be worked out before training camp kicks off in late July so it's not hovering over the team as they prepare for the 2025 season.