The Kansas City Chiefs are making moves to ensure they are not only competitive in the 2025 season, and they can potentially return to the Super Bowl. Star tight end Travis Kelce announced his return to the NFL by way of a text message to Pat McAfee, and the Chiefs are bringing back their biggest pending free agent.

It was announced that the Chiefs are planning on placing the franchise tag on star guard Trey Smith. Naturally, this led to Patrick Mahomes reacting in a simple, yet excited way.

Mahomes shared the report from the NFL that Smith would receive the franchise tag moments after it was announced that the Chiefs would make this move.

Mahomes simple repost indicates that he is plenty happy with the move, as protection is of the utmost importance for the star quarterback. Granted, that protection failed in the Super Bowl, but the Chiefs have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.

Smith was viewed as one of the best pending free agents, often being No. 2 overall, only behind wide receiver Tee Higgins. Now, Smith will be paid a bit under $24 million for the 2025 season, assuming the Chiefs do not give him a long-term deal.

Placing a franchise tag on players typically means their respective team is attempting to work on a new deal, though new deals aren’t always the resolutions that happen. However, it would be believed that the Chiefs have no intention of letting Smith test free agency.

At just about $24 million for the 2025 season, Smith is now the highest-paid guard, surpassing Philadelphia Eagles’ star offensive lineman, Landon Dickerson, who makes $21 million per season.

The Chiefs are never shy about making it known they are going for gold, and their trouncing by the Eagles is likely going to act as the push they need to return to the playoffs next season.

The good news for the Chiefs is they are getting back Kelce and one of their best offensive linemen for the 2025 season. Now, they will need to address their other roster holes to ensure they make another run at the Super Bowl.