One of the Chiefs' biggest personnel mysteries of the 2024 NFL season finally solved, could foreshadow free agency reunion

One of the biggest personnel mysteries surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs' 2024 NFL season has finally been revealed. 

The left tackle position was a problem for Kansas City from Day 1 of the season up through their embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. The team started four players at left tackle in 2024, including rookie Kingsley Suamataia, second-year Wanya Morris, late-season free agent signing D.J. Humphries, and finally left guard Joe Thuney. 

One of the most common questions amidst the struggles at left tackle: Why not re-sign 2023's starting left tackle, Donovan Smith, who was a free agent all season long?

In a recent article from Forbes' Jeff Fedotin, we finally learned why the Chiefs didn't just re-sign their Super Bowl LVIII-winning left tackle in 2024. As many postulated, there was some reason why Smith was not an option for Kansas City. That reason? He suffered a hip injury during training in May of 2024.

"That’s because Smith, who the Chiefs signed to a one-year, $3 million contract before the 2023 season, suffered a hip injury while training in May of 2024 that caused him to miss the entire 2024 campaign.

According to a source close to the situation, about half of the league called to check on Smith last year.

Though he wasn’t able to help the Chiefs or any other team in 2024, he’s better now and hopes to continue his career in 2025." - Jeff Fedotin

Is a reunion with Donovan Smith a possibility for the Chiefs in 2025?

With a weaker-than-anticipated 2025 NFL draft class at the offensive tackle position fueled by arm-length concerns and a meager crop of left tackle prospects in free agency, Kansas City has worse options than a reunion with Smith. While a 32-year-old coming off of injury might not sound appealing, the Chiefs have financial limitations this offseason and at O-Line (over $95M currently committed in 2025). They also know his recent ability better than any other NFL team.

Smith has no love lost for the team, as evidenced by his frequent support on social media.