The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of becoming the first team in history to win three Super Bowls in a row. After a 44-20 shellacking at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, some glaring deficiencies of the offense were put on display for all to see.
The offensive line failed the team that day as Patrick Mahomes had little time to be, well, Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs will address that unit this offseason and have some tough decisions to make.
One such decision revolves around four-year veteran Trey Smith. And Bleacher Report predicts Kansas City will move on from the former Tennessee Volunteer.
Trey Smith had a rough outing in Super Bowl LIX, but his lowlight of the 2024 campaign doesn’t erase a Pro Bowl year. During the regular season, Smith didn’t allow a sack while on the field for 1,115 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. He’s one of the league’s best pass-blocking guards and should be atop the Kansas City Chiefs’ list of players to re-sign this offseason.
However, the Chiefs will have to make key decisions on safety Justin Reid and linebacker Nick Bolton, along with several role players on both sides of the ball. Kansas City may add playmakers at the offensive skill positions as well. In the meantime, the Chiefs can use the franchise tag on Smith as a placeholder that precedes a new deal for the 25-year-old standout guard.
Smith made the Pro Bowl last season, which will likely just raise his asking price on the open market. But he’s shown durability, missing just one game in 2023 in four full seasons since entering the league. That’s worth something.
Smith is predicted to earn a four-year, $78.9 million deal next year per Spotrac, which might be too rich for the Chiefs, who could choose to rebuild the offensive line at least in part through the draft.