Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Sends Message After Historic $94 Million Decision

Patrick Mahomes is a happy man with $94 million in reasons to celebrate thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes, who is on a 10-year, $450 million contract extension, will not receive any of that money, but he will see it in action.

Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Chiefs’ Historic $94 Million Decision

Chiefs Keep Key Piece In Front of Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs signed former sixth-round pick Trey Smith, the No. 226 overall selection of the 2021 draft, to a four-year, $94 million contract before training camp.

That decision has significant implications for Mahomes, who shared a wide-grin emoji afterward.

“Pro-Bowl guard Trey Smith and the Chiefs reached agreement just ahead of today’s franchise-tag deadline on a four-year, $94 million deal that includes $70 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid guard in NFL history, ESPN’s sources tell me and @ByNateTaylor,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X on July 15, shortly after word a deal was close circulated.

“It’s the highest-average annual salary and the most guaranteed money ever awarded to an NFL guard.”

Smith was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs coming out of college. That contributed to his slide in the draft. He has missed one game since entering the league, which was in 2022. He ranks fourth on the team in offensive snap share in that span, per Stathead.

Trey Smith Joins Creed Humphrey on Top-10 IOL List

Smith is the second interior offensive lineman to receive an extension from the Chiefs in the last  12 months. He joins center Creed Humphrey, who signed a four-year, $76 million extension in August 2024.

Humphrey (No. 1) and Smith (No. 4) landed on ESPN’s list of the top-10 IOL entering 2025.

“Power, brute strength, physicality — he’s a people-mover and a people-stopper,” an anonymous AFC executive said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on July 12.

An anonymous coordinator offered a bit more polarized take on Humphrey, saying the former No. 63 pick is “great in pass protection” with matching feet and instincts, but also that opponents can “kick his a** a little bit” if he gets left on an island.

Surely to Mahomes and the Chiefs’ delight, Humphrey rose from seventh and Smith ninth.

They also both ranked ahead of former Chiefs guard Joe Thuney. The Chiefs traded  Thuney to the Chicago Bears this offseason. He ranked sixth on the 2025 list.

Patrick Mahomes Tops Top-10 List

The Chiefs will enter the 2025 season with the No. 1 QB according to ESPN’s polling, which took into account input from a collection of 70 coaches, front office members, and scouts to come up with the list.

Mahomes captured the No. 1 slot for the third straight season and the fifth time in its six-year existence. His only “miss” was ranking second in 2022.

Fowler argued that his grip on the top spot was “loosening slightly” this season.

“OL in decline, particularly at tackle, WR group completely cleaned out by injury, [Travis] Kelce not near the same player,” an anonymous coordinator said, according to Fowler on July 14. “I thought he had more command of time/score/situation and better fundamentals from within the pocket than ever. He’s a one-man army. And no NFL coach wants to deal with him. Complete dawg. No one like him. Maybe [Joe] Burrow, but Burrow isn’t as dangerous as a player.”

An anonymous NFC exec said others performed well enough to rank ahead of Mahomes on his list, noting the QB’s “little step back” in 2024.

That executive also expects Mahomes to return to form, which is great news for the Chiefs.