Chiefs face critical deadline to lock up Pro Bowl guard

The Kansas City Chiefs and star offensive lineman Trey Smith are in an intense sprint toward the July 15 deadline to finalize a multiyear deal or risk entering the 2025 season with Smith playing under the franchise tag. 

NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently confirmed that indeed negotiations are ongoing, but there is still uncertainty on whether or not an agreement will be reached before the deadline cutoff. 

Smith received the franchise tag back in February, making him the highest-paid guard in the NFL for the 2025 season with a fully guaranteed salary of $23.4 million. Yet, the Chiefs are aware that a long-term deal would provide important salary cap flexibility, allowing them to spread out his deal and even open up more space for other additions. 

At just 26 years old, Smith is already a cornerstone of the offensive line, ensuring protection for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Smith burst onto the scene as a sixth-round pick back in 2021, where, since then, he has started every game of his career and earned Pro Bowl nods this past season. Considering his dominant season and consistent durability, the Chiefs view Smith as a massive part of their championship aspirations. 

Despite the high stakes, the Chiefs still remain confident and committed to Smith. He signed the franchise tag without any hesitation, despite plenty of league-wide interest. Defensive tackle Chris Jones offered praise towards Smith’s professionalism throughout the process, saying, “It's good Trey didn't take my approach. Trey is doing the right thing ... Franchise tag is like $25 million, right? That's the big bucks," via KCTV5. 

Still, the clock is ticking. The deadline is just hours away, and if the Chiefs were to fail in getting a deal done, then Smith would play the 2025 season on the tag and would not be eligible to get extended until after the 2025 season. While it seems Smith will eventually get a long-term deal done with the Chiefs, it would ensure financial security for Smith and cap flexibility for Kansas City.

As training camp looms in just a few days, general manager Brett Veach and the Chiefs front office are focused on getting this deal done. Agreeing to an extension not only secures one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL, but it also lays the groundwork for flexibility in the evolving team structure ahead of next season.