The Kansas City Chiefs have locked up one of the cornerstones of their offensive line, solidifying their right guard for the foreseeable future.
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Kansas City and Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith reached an agreement on a four-year, $94 million contract that includes $70 million guaranteed.
Although it comes with a hefty price tag and makes Smith the highest-paid guard in NFL history, it is well worth the investment with Patrick Mahomes under center.
The 26-year-old guard was initially franchise-tagged in February, which fully guaranteed $23.4 million in 2025 if the two sides were unable to reach a deal by the July 15 deadline.
It was evident that the Chiefs prioritized a long-term deal with Smith after trading Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears for a future fourth-round pick earlier this offseason.
Smith did not allow a single sack until the playoffs last season, showcasing his importance and impact in pass protection.
Kansas City’s offensive line was brutally exposed in its Super Bowl defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was already a question mark, forcing the team to slide Thuney to left tackle for the latter half of the 2024 season.
By finalizing this deal, the Chiefs now have the highest-paid guard and center in the league. Last offseason, Creed Humphrey signed a four-year, $72 million extension, including $50 million guaranteed.
Additionally, the Chiefs invested their 2025 first-round pick on Josh Simmons, hoping that he is the long-term solution at left tackle. Kansas City also signed former San Francisco 49ers left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract before the draft. Former 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia will inherit the left guard position with Thuney in Chicago.
Signing Smith was a move the Chiefs’ front office had to execute. It solidifies the interior of the offensive line, while acknowledging that protection has to be better and more consistent if Kansas City wants to hoist more Lombardi Trophies in the future.
Mahomes is an elite quarterback, but if he is not afforded enough time to survey the field, the end product will look much like what transpired in Super Bowl LIX.
