Kansas City Chiefs move to solidify offensive line in post-Joe Thuney era with record contract extension for RG Trey Smith

The Chiefs selected Smith in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Tennessee. He was considered one of the best guards in the draft class, but fell because teams were concerned about blood clots discovered in Smith's lungs during his sophomore season at Tennessee. He went on to start every game in his Junior and Senior seasons in college without any issues related to blood clots. 

That'd continue to be the case in the NFL, with Smith starting 80 combined regular-season and postseason games over the past four seasons. He has since become a two-time Super Bowl champion, a 2024 Pro Bowler, and, as a rookie, was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team.  

Trey Smith's contract extension was necessary after the Chiefs' offseason decisions on the offensive line

The Chiefs made a choice this offseason on the offensive line when they franchise-tagged Smith and traded Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears. The franchise tag was a means to an end in contract negotiations, but it was clear from the moment the decision was made that Smith's future was in Kansas City. 

"There’s no secret there that we’d like to get Trey (Smith) locked up," Chiefs GM Brett Veach said ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Smith, alongside Creed Humphrey, are those future salty-veterans on the offensive line, while there's a youth movement at left tackle, left guard, and potentially the right tackle position as soon as 2026. 

"I just leave it all in my agent's hands," Smith said on FS1'S "First Things First" at the beginning of April. "I got Jimmy Sexton and Tory Dandy of CAA, they do a phenomenal job. And (Chiefs GM) Brett Veach and the whole office staff, who I appreciate. I love working with them as well. And at the end of the day, we just keep working at it. I'm just excited.

"I'm coming back, that's the best part about it. Just ready to go back to work and get back on that feeling of trying to get back to that goal, get a Super Bowl. But I just leave everything else for my agents, let them do all that. No delegation of that matter. But I'm just focused on being great, just being one percent better every single day, and be the best player I can every day for this organization."

If things go according to plan, Smith can help bring stability to the offensive line for the next three-plus seasons alongside Humphrey, Simmons, and Suamataia. The only question mark moving forward in this position group is the right tackle position with Jawaan Taylor coming up on an out-year in his contract.

So what exactly comes next for the Chiefs now that Smith is under contract? This decision should also now enable the team to focus on more critical business with members of the 2022 NFL Draft class, such as Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Isiah Pacheco, and others.