As the 2025 NFL season looms, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by head coach Andy Reid, are racing against time to secure a pivotal piece of their offensive line. Star guard Trey Smith, fresh off a breakout 2024 season and his first Pro Bowl nod, stands at the heart of a high-stakes contract saga. With a July 15 deadline fast approaching, the Chiefs have just days to lock in a long-term extension with the 26-year-old lineman—or risk losing him to free agency in 2026.
Smith, a cornerstone of Kansas City’s dominant offensive front, has been a model of consistency, missing just one game in his four years as a starter. His stellar performance earned him the non-exclusive franchise tag in February, a one-year, fully guaranteed $23.4 million tender that kept him from hitting the open market. But with the franchise tag deadline for a long-term deal looming, both sides are under pressure to find common ground.
A long-term contract would not only secure Smith’s future with the Chiefs but also provide the team with much-needed salary cap flexibility. The $23.4 million tag, the highest for any interior offensive lineman, is a hefty price for 2025. An extension could spread that cap hit over multiple years, giving Kansas City room to maneuver as they chase another Super Bowl title. The Chiefs’ recent trade of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to free up cap space signals their intent to prioritize younger talent like Smith, who’s proven his worth as a durable and elite performer.
Chiefs captain Chris Jones, no stranger to franchise tag drama himself, praised Smith’s approach to the negotiations. “Well, it’s good Trey didn’t take my approach,” Jones quipped to reporters at a recent team practice, per KCTV5. “Trey’s doing the right thing, man. Don’t take no advice from me. I did things a little different… Trey, you in a good place.” Jones’ lighthearted jab underscores the wisdom of Smith’s decision to sign the tag, positioning him for a potential blockbuster deal.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer weighed in on the situation, expressing cautious optimism. “I think the Chiefs get a deal done with him, but it won’t be easy,” Breer wrote on June 18. The clock is ticking, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for a team aiming to maintain its dynasty.
As Kansas City prepares to open training camp on July 21, all eyes are on Reid and the front office. Will they seal the deal with their rising star, or will the $23.4 million gamble define Smith’s final season in red and gold? For now, Chiefs Nation holds its breath as the deadline draws near.