Chiefs O-line still has massive problems despite Trey Smith extension

The move seems smart for the Chiefs, who tied for the league's fourth-most pressures allowed (163) last season, per Pro Football Reference. 

The 26-year-old O-lineman earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season after allowing no sacks on 708 pass-block snaps in 17 regular-season games, per Pro Football Focus.

Smith ranked No. 4 in ESPN writer Jeremy Fowler's annual top-10 ranking of interior O-linemen, which featured thoughts from scouts, coaches and executives. Chiefs center Creed Humphrey — entering the second year of a four-year deal — ranked No. 1. 

"Power, brute strength, physicality — he's a people-mover and a people-stopper," an AFC executive said of Smith, via Fowler.

The interior of the Chiefs O-line seems solidified with Smith and Humphrey in the fold. Still, that may not answer questions at left tackle. 

The Chiefs dealt O-lineman Joe Thuney, a 2024 first-team All-Pro, to the Chicago Bears in March. PFF credited him with 218 snaps at left tackle last season.  

Whether the Chiefs have a replacement for Thuney on their active roster remains unclear. Kansas City signed left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30M deal in free agency, but he didn't earn a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. 

The Chiefs took Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons (pick No. 32) in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He suffered a season-ending left knee injury in October 2024 but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp on July 21. 

"Simmons can still be susceptible to twists and counters in pass pro, so he might need a year to continue honing his craft in that area before he is ready to take on NFL pocket hunters," wrote NFL.com's Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.

Re-signing Smith provides stability, but the Chiefs O-line could still be a work in progress, especially after quarterback Patrick Mahomes took six sacks in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.