The Kansas City Chiefs apparently will keep their interior offensive line intact. According to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the team will place the franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith, a two-time Super Bowl champion and 2024 Pro Bowler.
Before the offseason, it was almost a foregone conclusion the 25-year-old guard would be playing elsewhere in 2025. However, the Chiefs have guaranteed that Smith will be in Kansas City for at least one more year and perhaps much longer if the sides can reach agreement on a long-term deal.
The franchise tag will make Smith the highest-paid guard in the league, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Kansas City made the correct decision by placing the franchise tag on Smith, who allowed zero sacks in 2024. This deal guarantees Smith will be in Kansas City next season, barring the lineman becoming disgruntled and requesting a trade.
The move also gives the Chiefs and Smith more time to negotiate a long-term deal while assessing the rest of the free-agent market. Signing Smith to a multi-year deal will be the top priority for Kansas City.
Smith and the Chiefs have until mid-July to sign a contract extension. If the sides are unable to agree to terms by then, Smith will play under the franchise tag in 2025.
This move also opens the door to a tag-and-trade possibility, as Kansas City now holds the rights to Smith.
Smith was expected to depart from Kansas City this offseason. But perhaps the poor play of the rest of the offensive line in Super Bowl LIX — the Chiefs allowed six sacks — convinced the front office to do everything in its power to retain Smith.
This move also signifies the Chiefs will most likely address left tackle through the draft, as they probably will not be able to afford to sign a left tackle in free agency.
The decision is wise for the Chiefs, who look to rebound from an ugly Super Bowl defeat.
