The Kansas City Chiefs have an interesting history when it comes to long-term contract extensionsn for their players. While some negotiations have gone incredibly smooth, without a single issue of any kind, others have turned ugly with drawn-out, public-facing dramatic turns that made Chiefs Kingdom wonder if a deal would even get done.
The good news is that the Chiefs’ (likely) future negotiations with Trey Smith should fall under the former label.
Smith is currently on the Chiefs roster under the team’s franchise tag, which he signed shortly before free agency began in mid-March. The tag means that Smith’s contract, at this point, is a one-year offer worth $23.4 million—the total allotted for offensive linemen given the franchise tag designation in 2025.
Trey Smith and the Chiefs should have no issues reaching a long-term contract agreement.
That’s a lofty cap hit, and the Chiefs have made no secret of the desire to lock up Smith long-term at some point this offseason. In fact, they’ve given up considerable leverage on their part to make it happen already, given that they’ve dealt away Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears in an offseason trade that makes Smith’s importance to the o-line even greater than before.
The good news is that Smith seems to like being in Kansas City just as much as the Chiefs enjoy having him around. On a recent episode of Up & Adams, host Kay Adams had Smith on the show to discuss his current contractual status with the Chiefs among a number of other topics. When asked about the state of an extension, here’s what he had to say.
“You know, ultimately, man, I gotta really focus on just working out and training, you know? And I love Kansas City. It’s my home,” said Smith. “I love the Chiefs. The fans in Kansas City are some of the best people I’ve ever been around. And, you know, ultimately, I would love to stay there. That’s my plan.”
Here’s a player who has been coached well on the field by Andy Reid’s staff but also his own agent(s). Smith says the right things here without a hint of drama or concern about getting something done. Of course, it has to help that he’s guaranteed over $23 million for the next year, but Smith also knows things are likely to get done in good time. He doesn’t need to fret over the delays so far or wonder if he’s going to get the long-term security he deserves.
That’s good news for the Chiefs, who have been down rougher roads in the past with the likes of Chris Jones or Justin Houston—players who eventually reached a deal but were frustrated with the process. Jones was the most recent player to even stage a holdout when he wasn’t given a long-term deal he desired.
That won’t be happening this offseason. Trey Smith is saying all the right things and the Chiefs have done the same. Give it time and both sides will find a way to work things out soon enough—without a need to make any waves before then.
